Narcotics investigators from the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit executed a search warrant Tuesday in Florence Township for suspected methamphetamine. Officers were contacted about possible methamphetamine manufacturing occurring at a residence in the 65000 block of Klinger Lake Road. Upon arrival the suspects had fled the scene but officers located evidence of manufacturing and use. The case will be …

A 24-year-old Centreville man was cited for two violations after he was involved in a single-vehicle accident Tuesday in White Pigeon Township. State police said Joseph Hammond was driving on Crooked Creek Road near Saunders Shores Drive when he lost control and drove off the roadway. According to a department media release, Hammond’s vehicle drove across a yard, through a …

A former Sturgis Citizen of the Year and one-time city commission member has passed away. Jo Ellen Oster, 64, passed Tuesday following a bout with cancer. The 1998 Sturgis Citizen of the Year, Oster served at different times as a city commissioner, member of the Downtown Development Authority and the Sturgis Chamber of Commerce. Her late husband, John, is the …

Kalamazoo Public Schools graduates will have the option to attend 15 private colleges in the state with their tuition paid for through the Kalamazoo Promise next year. The scholarship program has guaranteed full tuition payment for all public universities and community colleges in Michigan for the past eight years. The Kalamazoo Promise is teaming up with the Michigan College Alliance …

America mourns today. A veteran passed away, Clifford E. Hunn, age 88, of Three Rivers passed away at his home after a long illness on Tuesday, June 10, 2014. Clifford was born in Joppa, MI on May 12, 1926 the son of Athel and Rosezetta(Moore)Hunn. Clifford was a WWII veteran serving in the U.S. Army as a cook and baker …

Nearly 200-thousand Michigan residents will benefit from the recently expanded “Pay As You Earn” repayment plan for federal student loans, according to a report released by the White House. President Barack Obama signed an executive memorandum on Monday expanding eligibility for the program to borrowers with loans made prior to 2011. A report from the White House Council of Economic …

With heavy hearts, members of the Mendon Community Schools Board of Education Tuesday laid off three teachers. A fourth teacher has voluntarily agreed to switch her employment status from full-time to part-time. The move came despite testimonials from more than 30 people who lamented the situation and loss of quality staff members. Barring a significant change in student enrollment or …

Three Rivers Community Schools didn’t have to look far to find a new high school principal. The board of education this week selected Carrie Balk, a seven-year employee with the district. Balk, 35, previously taught language arts and social studies at Hamilton High School before joining the Three Rivers High School staff to teach social studies. She has served as …

The annual Sturgis Relay for Life fundraiser last weekend raised nearly $40,000 for the American Cancer Society. The 24-hour, uninterrupted walk started at noon Friday at Sturgis High School’s track. The top three groups in terms of funds raised were Burr Oak Tool and the Beta Sigma Phi team, which both raised $5,000. Morgan Olson was third with a team …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has announced the return of Project FRESH. The nutrition-education and supplemental-food program is offered through the agency in conjunction with Michigan State University Extension Services. Project FRESH puts fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables into the hands of young families who qualify for Women, Infants and Children assistance. Participants receive 10, $2 coupons that …