Doris M. Garl, age 66, of Colon, passed away Aug. 31, 2014, at her home, following an extended illness. Doris was born Aug. 1, 1948, in Keokee, Va., a daughter of Samuel and Charlotte (Burks) Robinson. In December 1966, she married George Garl Sr.She had lived most of her life in St. Joseph County, where she was a homemaker and …

Ryan Lee Osborn, age 43, of Three Rivers, died unexpectedly on Friday, Aug. 29, 2014 at his home. He was born in Sturgis on April 11, 1971 the son of Darrell and Linda (Johnson) Osborn. Ryan attended the Leonidas Stone School, Colon Middle School and Mendon High School. He had been employed at X-L Machine of Three Rivers for 10 …

My first September column always gives me the opportunity to make everyone aware of the fact that summer is officially over for the year. According to the calendar, autumn hasn’t officially arrived, but the opportunity to take that family vacation has come and gone. The children are back in school, so Mom’s personal time has begun. Oh yes, gentlemen, you …

Public schools in St. Joseph County and the rest of Michigan begin the 2014-15 academic year today. In St. Joseph County, new superintendents can be found in Three Rivers and Colon, where Jean Logan and Vic Bugni, respectively, start the school year as leaders of their districts. Students in White Pigeon and Centreville will see the result of extensive work …

Investigators from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department wish to clarify that alleged sexual encounters between Sturgis firefighter Joshua Snyder and a then-15-year-old girl did not take place at a Sturgis school. Snyder was formally charged Wednesday with one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count of third- degree CSC and two counts of fourth- degree CSC for a …

About 30-thousand walkers participated in this year’s Labor Day Mackinac Bridge walk. Just before Monday’s walk about 350 runners celebrated the Pure Michigan FIT campaign and hit the bridge deck to promote and encourage healthy physical activity in communities throughout Michigan. For the third year in a row, the Mackinac Bridge Authority and the Michigan Department of Transportation are asking the public to …

St. Joseph County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 24000 block of M-86 Friday in Nottawa Township regarding a breaking-and-entering incident.  According to a department media release, cash was taken and items inside an unoccupied dwelling were damaged.

Sturgis city commissioners last week approved tax exemptions for two local companies. Each exemption is for a 12-year period. The first was Parma Tube, for investing $450,000 in two CNC tube benders, a tube-end-forming machine and supporting equipment. The exemption will also help maintain 62 existing jobs and create three new positions. The other was granted to Morgan Olson, for …

State police said a bicycle was found last week in Mottville Township. The girls bicycle was located in an area along U.S. 12 and Vistula Road. The bicycle can be claimed by making positive identification and alerting the state police post in Coldwater, at 517-278-2373.

The RV industry is enjoying a smooth ride as the recession that devastated it fades into the distance.  Industry leaders say key manufacturers and suppliers have announced recent expansions, the stock market is at an all-time high and consumers are more confident in the future.  Recreation Vehicle Indiana Council executive director Mark Bowersox tells the South Bend Tribune the rebound …