Michigan’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is offering grants of $10,000 or less to shelters and other organizations that work to prevent cruelty to animals.  The agency will allocate $175,000 for the purpose next year and is accepting proposals through Nov. 10.  Registered animal control and animal protection shelters can apply for funds to help increase the adoption rate …

John W. Whitmyer, Sr. age 74, of Constantine, MI passed away at home Monday, October 20, 2014. He was born February 22, 1940 in Cassopolis, MI, the son of Melvin and Emma (Vickers) Whitmyer. He was in the RV Service business until retirement. John enjoyed hunting, fishing and the outdoors. He also loved spending time with family. Surviving are one …

Investigators from the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit arrested a wanted fugitive and served a search warrant last week. SCAN officials had received information about an absconder from a federal drug case that originated this summer in St. Joseph County involving methamphetamine trafficking. Officers on Thursday set up surveillance at U.S. 12 and Oak Drive in White Pigeon Township …

Four of the nine school districts in St. Joseph County saw an increase in student enrollment this fall compared to a year ago. The unofficial headcount conducted two weeks ago showed Centreville, Sturgis, Three Rivers and White Pigeon all had gains in their enrollment. White Pigeon Community Schools led the way with 35 additional students for an enrollment of 792. …

Two vacant positions with the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department will be filled, as the county’s board of commissioners earlier this month approved staffing the posts. One road-patrol position and a full-time job in corrections will be filled once viable candidates are found. Resignations in both cases created the openings. In other personnel matters last week, the commission hired Catherine …

Organizers behind Saturday’s collection of household hazardous waste, televisions and computers, tires and paper said the amount collected exceeded the fall 2013 event. Pat Kulikowski, secretary of the St. Joseph County Solid Waste Committee, said preliminary figures show two semi trailers were filled with televisions and computers, 12,600 pounds of hazardous waste was collected, 635 tires were turned in and …

Troopers from the Michigan State Police Coldwater Post stopped a passenger vehicle on Hodunk Road near Barnhart Road in Branch County. The 30-year-old driver and a 48-year-old passenger, both of Quincy, were found to be in possession of several ounces of marijuana and components used to manufacture methamphetamine. The suspects were arrested on several felony charges. A further investigation led …

Millie Faye Snyder, 77, of White Pigeon, passed away Friday, October 17th, at Riverview Manor Nursing Home, Three Rivers. Faye was born in Jasper, AL on October 3, 1937, a daughter of Robert Ed and Mattie Elizabeth (Burgess) Sherer. She graduated from Bristol High School. On June 28, 1958 she married Kenneth Snyder in Bristol, IN at the Methodist Church. He …

David Scott “Spit” Spitaleri, age 52, of Three Rivers passed away suddenly on October 16, 2014 at the Bronson Methodist Hospital following a brief illness, throughout which Scott kept good spirits and a hopeful attitude. He was born on May 22, 1962 in Detroit, MI., the son of George and Brenda (Ary) Spitaleri. Scott attended schools in the Ypsilanti area …

Robin E. (Norton) Atkinson, 55, of Three Rivers, died Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014 at the Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. Visitation will be on Monday, Oct. 20, 10-11 a.m. at the Eickhoff, Farrand, Halverson Chapel in Three Rivers where services will be at 11 a.m. Interment of cremains will follow at Poe Cemetery. Donations may be directed to the family.