The Sturgis Junior Women’s League donated $3,200 each to three area organizations. Recipients of the donations were Pregnancy Helpline of St. Joseph County, Keystone Place and St. Joseph County Victim Services. Checks were presented last week. Karen Bates, president of Sturgis Junior Women’s League, said there have been years when the total raised equaled the amount provided to each of …

A man was arrested last weekend in Sturgis after he had started a trash fire. Sturgis police were called at 9:45 p.m. Saturday to the 500 block of Center Street in response to a man being assaultive and disorderly. Once at the residence, officers discovered a small trash fire had been set next to the home. Officers were able to …

The League of Michigan Bicyclists will conduct its annual Pedal and Paddle Tour in Three Rivers later this month. This year’s route will explore the areas in and around St. Joseph County Sept. 18-20. There are more than 50 riders registered for the tour, which will see participants ride daily bicycle loops throughout St. Joseph County, then paddle the Portage …

David Alfred Switzer, 68, of Granger, Ind., went home to God the morning of Monday, Sept. 7, 2015. David was born in Evanston, Ill. on April 9, 1947, son of Carlton and Ann (Javorsky) Switzer. He graduated from Evanston Township High School and Michigan Technological University with a degree in electrical engineering. Dave married the love of his life, Shelley …

Mendon residents are in store for relief from the summer-long, downtown infrastructure-improvement project. Village manager John Hyden said there’s a chance street paving will begin Friday, so long as the weather between now and Friday allows. Street paving will mark a significant step toward completion of the $4.1 million project, which started March 30. Hyden said in addition to the …

Tuesday’s first day of classes in St. Joseph County schools brought with it a number of changes and new faces to its nine public school districts. Two new superintendents are in place, as former Constantine High School Principal Christine Barnes stepped in as chief of Colon Community Schools. Meanwhile, former Three Rivers superintendent Roger Rathburn will oversee Mendon Community Schools …

White Pigeon Area Community Foundation, a geographic affiliate of Sturgis Area Community Foundation, recently approved $7,600 in grant awards during its 2015 competitive-grant program. The Adele M. Gray Fund awarded $4,500 to the White Pigeon Caring Families for community and program support. The Fund for White Pigeon also provided grant support to White Pigeon Caring Families with a $1,000 grant. …

Violet Marie Lahr, 87, of Centreville, passed away Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015 at Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation Community in Centreville. Violet was born Oct. 27, 1927 in Colon Twp. a daughter to the late Frank and Mae (Castle) Bailey. Violet grew up in Colon, graduating from Colon High School with the Class of 1945. She continued her education receiving her …

  A gray sky and light rain didn’t stop thousands of people from a Labor Day tradition Monday, the five-mile walk across the Mackinac Bridge led by Gov. Rick Snyder. And the weather also didn’t stop dozens more from taking a plunge in the Straits of Mackinac below the bridge as swimmers in wet suits and caps completed an inaugural …

The top lawyer for the Michigan House recommended Tuesday that one state lawmaker be expelled and another censured for misconduct stemming from an attempt to hide their extramarital affair. Brock Swartzle, general counsel for the Republican-led chamber and chief of staff to the speaker, said GOP Rep. Todd Courser of Lapeer should be kicked out in part because he has …