Officials from the St. Joseph County United Way have announced planning has begun for the 2014 Silent Auction at the county fair in September. Executive director Kelly Hostetler said she is appealing to the public for and help with a donation of items. The Silent Auction, the agency’s largest, single-event fundraiser, was a success last year and those who participated …

Last week I wrote about having lunch with an old friend of mine who was visiting from Idaho. The time we spent having lunch was great, and it made me wish we had more time to do more lunches, but those will have to wait until his next visit. The week after Water Festival, I was having breakfast at one …

Unemployment in St. Joseph County rose two-tenths of a percent in May compared to April. Figures from the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives show the county’s May unemployment figure was 5.7 percent, up from 5.5 percent in April. The 5.7 percent rate was still lower than the county’s 7.5 percent unemployment compared to the same month in …

Officers from St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department are investigating an injury accident that occurred last week on Colon Road, near Farrand Road, in Colon Township. Shirley Nash, 62, of Colon, was eastbound on Colon Road around 8:30 p.m. Monday, when her vehicle was struck on the passenger’s side by a pickup driven by 18-year-old Dexter West of Burr Oak. West …

The White Pigeon Rotary Club last week passed the gavel to its new president, Mike Brorson. Brorson will serve as club president for the 2014-15 year. Brorson has been a member of Rotary for the past 14 years and is serving his third term as president of the club. Brorson is a broker/owner of RE/MAX Elite Group with offices in …

With two days in the books, testimony in the case against Andy Brown continues this week. A number of key witnesses testified Thursday and Friday about the day Sturgis-area CPA David Locey was found dead in his office north of the city, with a single gunshot wound to his head in October 2013. Testimony began Thursday, when Tammy Brunner, an …

Organizers of the Sturgis Fest community festival said the 2014, seven-day community celebration was considered a success. The festival concluded Saturday with an impressive fireworks show that capped several special events, including a motorcycle show, an old-time baseball game and a kick-off event with a special recognition of Sturgis’ citizens of the year, Kerri Millet and Skip Sisson. Sturgis Fest …

An agreement signed last week between heads of two local secondary universities makes official a pact that allows college students an opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree at Glen Oaks Community College. A ceremony involving Glen Oaks president David Devier and his Trine University’s Earl Brooks II took place Thursday at the Centreville-area campus. Brooks said the agreement means students …

A preliminary examination for a former Constantine reserve police officer charged with lying in testimony he gave to prosecutors investigating the 2007 death of 11-year-old Jodi Parrack was postponed last week for a second time. The attorney for defendant Raymond McCann II requested postponement and the matter has been rescheduled for July 9 before District Judge Robert Pattison. McCann has …

Mrs. Emma Irene (Chrisman) Tokarski, age 87, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 28th, 2014 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born on April 25, 1927 in Florence Twp., MI. the daughter of the late Elmer E. and Ruth L. (Eash) Chrisman. Mrs. Tokarski attended schools in Three Rivers graduating in 1945. On …