Junior Claude Hawkins, 81, of Constantine, passed away Saturday, February 27, 2016 at Heartland Health Care Center, Three Rivers. He was born in Sturgis on March 7, 1934, a son of Claude and Erna (Koehl) Hawkins. Junior served in the United States Army . On April 5, 1952, he married Marjorie Westphal in Sturgis; she preceded him in death on December …

Paul Stuck, age 84, of Schoolcraft, passed away at home Saturday, February 27, 2016. He was born in 1932 the son of William and Ruth (Stuck) Beals and lived his entire life in the Schoolcraft area. In 1958 he married Wanda Shearer and they raised three children, Pamela (Ron) Rhoades and Lauri Stuck both of Schoolcraft and Jeffrey (Terri) Stuck …

Chester (Chet) Carter McLeod, 50, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016 at Three Rivers Health. He was born on Feb. 26, 1965 in Three Rivers to Wesley and Bonnie McLeod. Chet grew up and resided in Three Rivers where he enjoyed fishing, riding his bike around town, watching The Andy Griffith Show and playing frisbee. Chet is survived by …

Michigan officials are considering whether to expand coyote hunting in the state as part of an effort to deal with complaints about the animals in residential areas. The Times Herald of Port Huron reports the Natural Resources Commission at its March meeting plans to consider a recommendation on the issue. Currently, coyotes may be killed in daylight statewide from July …

Four of the six victims of a random shooting tear are being remembered at funerals and memorials in southwestern Michigan. Somber gatherings were held Saturday in Bridgman, Battle Creek and Kalamazoo, a week after six people were killed in the Kalamazoo area. Mourners offered condolences to the family of Mary Lou Nye at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bridgman. Her photo …

  Butterflies have arrived at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park for an annual event at the western Michigan attraction. Thousands of butterflies will be on view starting Tuesday as part of the Fred & Dorothy Fichter “Butterflies Are Blooming” exhibition, which runs through April 30 at the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory. About 60 butterfly species are part of the …

The final pieces of a 2012 sinking-fund millage renewal are falling into place in White Pigeon. Members of the school district’s board of education Wednesday approved what amounts to about $1.7 million worth of bids. Superintendent Jon Keyer said the action nearly exhausts $5 million from what was a five-year extension of a sinking-fund millage originally approved in 2007. The …

St. Joseph County’s emergency management director was given approval last week to attend a national conference this summer. The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners passed a motion to allow T.J. Baker to attend the 2016 National School Safety Conference in Orlando in late July. According to a memo from Baker to commissioners, the conference will focus on all aspects …

The St. Joseph County Road Commission repaired potholes in more than 800 miles of roads and removed snow from more than 1,000 miles of roadways in 2015. The information was presented last week to the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners as part of the road commission’s annual report. Past board chairman John Bippus said other work completed last year …

A prosecutor says no charges will be brought after state troopers fatally shot a man during a November standoff at a motel in southwestern Michigan. Berrien County Prosecutor Michael Sepic announced the decision Thursday following a review of police reports, lab reports and autopsy results. Police say Marcus Meridy was fatally shot Nov. 18 after firing at police. Meridy had …