The latest PowerPoint presentation regarding a proposed river trail concept has been added to St. Joseph County’s website. The document shows the current state of the St. Joseph County River Trail Master Plan, including initial concept plan sketches following simultaneous meetings last week in Three Rivers and Sturgis. Input to landscape architect Suzanne Fromson of Edgewater Resources is welcome via …

Members of the Centreville Village Council have approved the hiring of Sgt. David Richmond as the chief of police. During a special meeting Monday, council members made the approval two weeks after they increased Richmond’s pay to what is considered is in line with the duties he was performing. Richmond was appointed interim chief at an October meeting. The 30-year-old …

The massive fire that killed 18 horses at Smithfield Stables in Edwardsburg last week is being ruled accidental. Fire investigators from the Michigan State Police believe the blaze was sparked by someone burning leaves behind the barn last Tuesday, but note there is no direct evidence to prove that theory. In addition to the 18 show horses, a donkey and a dog …

I’ve been retired for almost four years and find myself busier than I was when I was punching a time clock. I’ve heard from other retirees that, if you do the right thing after you retire, you don’t have time to work for someone else. I guess I’m doing the right thing, because I still get up early in the …

The city of Sturgis has declared a citywide snow-removal emergency due to snow accumulations of greater than four inches. The snow emergency went into effect at 10 p.m. Monday. By ordinance, during a declared snow removal emergency parking is prohibited on all city streets. Furthermore, the owner of any vehicle parked in violation is subject to being issued a citation …

An 18-year-old Constantine woman was airlifted to Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo after a two-vehicle crash last weekend in Three Rivers. St. Joseph County Sheriff deputies said a vehicle driven by Alexandra Harrison pulled in front of a semi driven by a 42-year-old man from Detroit at 2:50 a.m. Sunday at the intersection of U. S. 131 and West Michigan …

Legislation is now before Congress from U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow and Congressmen Dan Benishek and Gary Peters to halt a massive electric rate increase in the Upper Peninsula. The three lawmakers are attempting to require additional oversight by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to allow FERC to prevent the 100-million dollar rate increase. Customers in the U.P. would be forced to pay …

William G. Willer, 75, of White Pigeon, Mich., died Friday, Nov. 14, 2014, at his home. He was born Jan. 9, 1939, in Sturgis, Mich., to Harry and Leone ( Robertson) Willer. He was a Sturgis and White Pigeon area resident all of his life. He attended Michigan State University and was an avid fan of Michigan State sports. He …

Charles E. Kesler, age 87, of Centreville, Mich., passed away Saturday evening, Nov. 15, 2014, at his home, surrounded by his family. He was born Sept. 9, 1927, in Fort Wayne, Ind., son of the late Walter and Anna ( Jennings) Kesler. Chuck resided in the Sturgis and Centreville area since 1958. Prior to coming to Sturgis, he lived in …

A prospective trial date for Raymond McCann has been delayed at the request of his attorney, who also made a request for a change of venue. McCann, 47, is a former Constantine police reserve officer charged with lying in testimony related to the unsolved 2007 homicide of Jodi Parrack. Attorney James Mequio on Friday made the request before St. Joseph …