The Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Department is conducting an investigation into a one-car crash involving an off-duty Sturgis police officer. Investigators are awaiting toxicology reports before seeking charges against the officer. Sturgis Deputy Police Chief Dave Ives said he is aware of the investigation and that after a criminal investigation is concluded, Sturgis will conduct an internal investigation. The crash occurred …

The former administrative assistant of the Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce has pled guilty to a charge of embezzlement. Deb Herring, 57, entered her plea last week in St. Joseph County Circuit Court. She was arrested in July and charged with stealing between $20,000 and $50,000 from the chamber over a seven-year period beginning in 2007. Dates for her …

Three of the four St. Joseph County-based high school football playoff teams bowed out over the weekend in pre-district action. A failed extra point doomed Three Rivers Friday, as the Wildcats fell to Vicksburg, 14-13, in Division 4 action. The game was marred by strong, cold winds that had a negative impact on both teams, according to coaches. On Saturday, …

State Rep. Matt Lori has announced a Michigan Strategic Fund grant that will enable a Sturgis auto-supply company to expand operations and create jobs. Lori said Summit Polymers Inc. will expand its existing operations in Sturgis, Portage and Vicksburg as a result of the $800,000 grant. The company plans to invest $7.3 million into the local economies and create 198 …

Hines, Dr. Wallis G. “Wally” Hines, age 95, died October, 31, 2014 in Kalamazoo. Born in Chicago, Ill. on Feb. 2, 1919, he was the fifth son of Herbert Waldo and Helen (Gartside) Hines. Raised in El Paso, Kankakee and Springfield, IL, he graduated from Springfield High School in 1935. Following two and a half years at the University of …

Jean J. Williams, 83, of Three Rivers, died Monday, Oct. 27, 2014 at her home. Private graveside services will be held at a later date. Arrangements by the Eickhoff, Farrand, Halverson Chapel of Three Rivers.

Vicksburg 14,  Three Rivers 13 Schoolcraft 42,  Constantine 28 Mendon 49,  Colon 8 Cassopolis 29,  Decatur 28  (OT)

GeorgeW. Emmel, age 82, of Colon, passed away Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014, at his home. George was born, July 6, 1932, in Branch County, a son of the late Lewis andMabel (Slagle) Emmel. He had made his home in the Colon area most of his life and had attended Colon schools. George had also served in the U.S. Army from …

Karen S. Green, 66, of Quesnel, British Columbia, and formerly of White Pigeon, Mich., died Oct. 19, 2014, in Quesnel. She was born June 14, 1948, in Sturgis, Mich., a daughter of John Thomas and Alice Elizabeth (Codd) Robertson. She attended White Pigeon Schools. For two years, she lived on a dude ranch in Israel on the Sea of Galilee. …

Sophia C. Barczak, 96, of White Pigeon, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2014, following an extended illness. She was born Dec. 30, 1917, in Jackson, a daughter of Carl and Dominika (Best) Chrapek. On Feb. 22, 1935, she married John A. Barczak in Jackson. He died Aug. 27, 1992. In 1949, Sophia and John moved to Bronson, …