Midwest Energy Cooperative has provided Centreville High School guidance counselor Sarah Dickman a grant of $1,800. The Strengthening School Grant will be used to introduce formal Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics curriculum for the junior high students to use in their science exploratory. The curriculum is through Project Lead the Way, which is the nation’s leading STEM program in activity, …

Glen Oaks Community College’s 50th anniversary celebration came to a close earlier this month with a final event. Faculty and staff gathered at the site of the new flag plaza for a dedication ceremony that included placement of a 50-year anniversary time capsule in the brick plaza. The capsule contains an array of items from throughout the year, including the …

Raymond Edward Masnari (Maz), age 72, passed away Wednesday, December 17, from complications due to bladder cancer. Born on October 16, 1943, Ray was a lifetime resident of Three Rivers, Michigan, Ray was a lover of sports, playing on numerous high school teams, such as basketball, football, and golf. In 1993, he was inducted into the Three Rivers High School …

State police are conducting an investigation after three Branch County residents recently overdosed on synthetic marijuana. According to a department media release, two incidents occurred Sunday in Ovid Township. One of the two men remains in critical condition at Borgess Hospital, the other was treated locally and released. Meanwhile, a 22-year-old man overdosed Monday in Batavia Township. After he was …

The village of Constantine was awarded more than $20,000 from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources as part of its Recreation Passport grant program. The village was one of 33 recipients from a field of 45 applicants to receive a portion of the $1.3 million available for recreation-related purposes. Funds are made available through the $11 annual pass residents purchase …

State Rep. Aaron Miller and former state Reps. Matt Lori and Rick Shaffer gathered at the Capitol Tuesday to say goodbye to retiring staffer Susan Martin, who served as legislative aide to all three lawmakers during the past 13 years. Miller commended Martin for the hard work she has done for the people of the 59th House District while working …

Carol Brooks has been named the 2015 recipient of the John E. Oster Award. Brooks, who was honored this week at a meeting of Sturgis Rotary Club at Sturges-Young Auditorium, has taught at Sturgis Public Schools since 1988, the past seven years as K-2 physical education teacher. The John Oster Memorial Fund was established in 1981 by JoEllen Oster, John’s …

Sturgis firefighters were dispatched to ACM Plastics just after 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, and arrived to find heavy smoke and fire coming from roof vents at the north end of the plant. All employees existed safely. Due to heavy smoke, crews used a thermal-imaging camera to direct the fire-fight. Damage was contained to a malfunctioning mold heater, while the building sustained …

Kathleen Louise Stiles, 50, of White Pigeon, and formerly of Sturgis, passed awway Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015, at her mother’s home in White Pigeon, following a six-month illness. She was born Dec. 13, 1965, in Three Rivers, a daughter of Richard C. and Wanna L. (Keller) Heitkamp. She was a graduate of White Pigeon High School and Glen Oaks Community …

The Manchester Monarchs (17-9-0-1) netted the game-tying goal late in the third period, and completed their comeback with the game winner in overtime, defeating the Kalamazoo Wings (10-13-2-1), 2-1, on Education day at Wings Event Center. The K-Wings scored the loan goal of the game just 6:44 into the opening period as Lane Scheidl extended his point streak to three …