Several hours after tending to a suspected arson at an abandoned house on Peck Academy Road, Constantine firefighters were called to another blaze Monday in the 62000 block of Constantine Road in Florence Township. Just before 10:30 a.m., residents said they smelled something hot and saw smoke in an attached garage. Fire personnel arrived less than 10 minutes later. The …

A longtime retailer in Sturgis will be closing later this year. Kmart, located on South Centerville Road, will shut its doors in mid-November, said Howard Riefs, director of corporate communications for Sears Holdings. A liquidation sale is expected to begin Aug. 30. Store closures are part of a series of actions being taken to reduce on-going expenses, adjust the company’s …

Rufus Tyree went home to his Saviour in Heaven on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at Forest Glen Assisted Living in Dowagiac. He was 90 years old. Rufus was born on August 21, 1924 to Charles and Matilda (Holcomb) Tyree in Van, Kentucky. He was drafted into the U.S. Army on July 7, 1943, serving with the 467th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion, …

William Robert Witt, 80, of Three Rivers, passed away Friday, Aug. 7, 2015 at his home. William was born Nov. 6, 1934 in Mishawaka, Ind. to the late William Albert and Margaret Delphine (Hunter) Witt. On Nov. 17, 1984, he married Lorrie Carter in Constantine. Surviving is his wife, Lorrie, of Three Rivers, and his children Kim (Cyndi) Witt of …

Refinery problems at a BP facility in Indiana are already resulting in higher gas prices in Michigan. Gasbuddy.com’s Patrick DeHaan says the refinery issue is causing prices to rise as much as 60 cents per gallon in the short term. The BP refinery is the seventh largest in the country and the largest in the Midwest. And if the wholesale …

A 19-year-old Kalamazoo man and his passenger were injured in a crash in Cass County earlier this week. Sheriff Joe Underwood said Jesus Arrey was driving south on M-40 shortly after 2:30 p.m. Sunday when he attempted to pass a vehicle in a no-passing zone near Teasdale Lake Road in Porter Township. Investigators said Arrey indicated he was attempting to …

The St. Joseph County United Way was presented a check last week from Ruth Gaudard, director of external affairs from A&T. Kelly Hostetler, executive director of the local United Way, said AT&T has partnerships in all the communities served by the United Way. Gaudard, meanwhile, said St. Joseph County United Way is doing an outstanding job working in the county …

A vacant house in Constantine Township was destroyed by fire early Monday. Constantine firefighters were called to the 63000 block of Peck Academy Road about 3:45 a.m. Upon arrival, they found the building completely engulfed and collapsing. The home had been unoccupied for some time, officials said, adding that the fire appears to have been intentionally set. Cause of the …

Glen Oaks Community College will be offering two Nurse Aide Training programs beginning this fall. “There are numerous positions available in the county for certified nurse aides,” said Dr. David Devier, Glen Oaks president. “We are trying to help meet the need by offering this course on days and times that include weekends to try to help students better fit …

A Genesee County judge has ruled a father can openly carry his pistol inside his daughter’s elementary school. The Flint Journal reports that Circuit Judge Archie Hayman on Monday ruled in favor of Kenneth Herman and gun rights advocacy group Michigan Open Carry. He filed a lawsuit in March against the Clio Area School District, arguing he was denied access …