A family of four somehow escaped without any major injuries after their minivan was dragged for 16 miles early Wednesday by a semi on Interstate 75 in northern Michigan. Matt Menz says he rear-ended the big rig around 2 a.m. in a white-out in Roscommon County because he couldn’t see that the truck had slowed down. He and his wife …

Darryl L. Cook, age 52, of Colon, passed away Jan. 5, 2015, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. There will be no visitation. A graveside memorial service and burial of ashes will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015, at Lakeside Cemetery in Colon. The family was assisted by Schipper Funeral Home in Colon.

Daune Lee Adams passed away at home, surrounded by his loving family, on Dec. 31, 2014, in Sturgis, due to a courageous battle with cancer. He was 61. Duane was born Dec. 21, 1953, in Sturgis, to his parents, Ralph and Shirley ( Notestine) Adams. Duane resided most of his life in Sturgis, where he graduated from Sturgis High School …

Jack Fryling, age 75, of Vicksburg died peacefully at home on Tuesday Jan. 6, 2015. He was born in Schoolcraft, MI on Sep. 8, 1939 the son of Adrian and Bertha (Visscher) Fryling and was a lifetime resident of the area. He played football at Mendon High School and graduated from there in 1957. He was married to Sharon Lee …

Brenda Kay Aikin, age 56, of Constantine, MI, passed away Tuesday, January 6th, 2015 at Sturgis Hospital. She was born in Elkhart, IN on February 16, 1958, a daughter of LaVern and Patricia (Geary)  Aikin. Brenda was enrolled in the day program at Adopt in Sturgis.  She enjoyed going bowling, competing in Special Olympics, coloring, writing, and story-telling. Brenda is …

  Hello. I am a female black lab/sharpei mix, about 6 years old. I’m very cute and am a calm and gentle lady. I know how to sit and lie down and shake both paws. I have a skin condition that needs some attention, but with some good food and maybe some meds I should be just fine. I like …

Two people have been arrested in connection with last weekend’s armed robbery at the Marathon gas station on South Centerville Road in Sturgis. The suspects, a male and female, both 20, are in the St. Joseph County jail. Names were withheld pending arraignment. Public Safety Director Geoff Smith said the public played a major role in the investigation through numerous tips …

The most-tenured employee for St. Joseph County government announced Tuesday she plans to retire later this year. Clerk and register of deeds Pattie Bender issued a media release Tuesday, indicating her plan to retire June 30. The 64-year-old Bender joined the county in 1970 and became clerk in 1991, succeeding Beverly Burnham. A lifelong Centreville resident, Bender said she looks …

Sturgis Hospital officials have announced new rules for visiting the hospital during the flu season. Influenza season guidelines are: Hospital visitors must be 18 years or older; visitors to the obstetric unit must be immediate family. Siblings under age 18 visiting a newborn may be screened for fever; one visitor per patient is allowed in the emergency department; and patients …

John Dobberteen will head the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners for the third consecutive year. The unanimous decision was made Tuesday at the commission’s first assembly of 2015. Dobberteen, whose jurisdiction covers the city of Sturgis and Fawn River Township, is starting his 17th year on the commission. This will be his seventh year overall as chairman. The nomination …