Martha Marie Cook, age 67, of Centreville, died Friday May 23, 2014 at her home. She was born in Battle Creek, MI on Sep. 20, 1946 the daughter of Thurl Eugene and Betty Rae (Worrell) West. She was a 1964 graduate of Vicksburg High School. Martha worked for International Business Machines (IBM) for over 27 years, and later for the …

A 33-year-old Traverse City man was charged with drug- and weapon-related offenses early Thursday in Sturgis. The man was arrested after the vehicle in which he was a passenger was stopped for an equipment violation shortly after 12:30 a.m. near the intersection of East West and Arden Park streets. Sturgis police said the man was found to be in possession …

An update on the 2014 White Pigeon Days community celebration was provided during Wednesday’s village council meeting. Representatives from the White Pigeon Days Committee said a permit for the parade on U.S. 12 has been secured and will take place on opening night, July 11. Other attractions include a dodge ball tournament, inflatable attractions for the kids, food and crafts …

Organizers of the eighth annual Palmer Lake Flotilla in Colon Township have announced details regarding this year’s event. The procession of boats begins at 6:30 p.m. July 5, starting from the Palmer Lake Launch near Burr Oak Road. The rain date is July 6. Organizer Tim Taylor said this year’s theme will be “Music.” In keeping with the theme, Taylor …

A formality approved Tuesday by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners allows certain employees in about 12 different departments to work a four-day week. The memorandum of understanding between the county board and AFSCME general unit gives department heads the option of allowing their employees to work four, 10-hour days instead of five, eight-hour days. Human resources director Elishia …

White Pigeon village officials have deferred a matter regarding outdoor, wood-burning boilers until more information can be gathered by a council member and zoning official. A month after village council member Shireen Cline raised health-related concerns about the devices, the panel on Wednesday agreed to have Cline meet with Doug Kuhlman, zoning administrator for the village. The two will review …

The Three Rivers Wastewater Treatment Plant has reported a foamover occurrence took place last week. Plant officials said the incident was noticed around 7:30 a.m. Friday and had occurred the night before. The foam retention pond held in 12,000 gallons of foam, preventing the foam from entering storm sewers. The matter was deemed to have been human error, as it …

Two unrelated matters of business were approved Tuesday by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. Commissioners endorsed an agreement with Florida-based MGT of America for cost-allocation plan services. County administrator Pat Yoder said the agreement is geared toward the county’s Friend of the Court and Juvenile Court departments to reimburse their expenses through the state. Also, the employment of …

Everyone calls me Gusto because I definitely have a gusto for life. I am a male, brown terrier mix with a black muzzle. I’m about one year old and weigh 30 lbs. I’d be good with a family who has time to play with me and give me lots of exercise – and tire me out. I love to be …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has agreed to allow alcohol during a fundraiser staged next month by the Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce. During Tuesday’s commission meeting, county administrator Pat Yoder said the chamber is staging its second annual Treasures of St. Joseph County in July at Rawson’s King Mill Park in Leonidas Township. As it did …