The number of motorcycle deaths involving riders not wearing helmets in Michigan is up. According to the latest report from the Governors Highway Safety Association, 60 people died in motorcycle accidents in the state in 2013 compared to 55 the year before. Michigan’s mandatory helmet law was changed two years ago and now allows riders with additional medical coverage, safety …

Welcome to the month of May. With the weather being what it is, it’s difficult to remember what season we are actually in. There is no doubt that we are experiencing spring, because Mike King, the Weenie King, has been in full operation for the past several weeks. He is a pro, when it comes to handling the weather, and …

Deputies from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department are investigating a suspicious fire that occurred Sunday evening in Nottawa Township. According to a department press release, illegally dumped trash at the Evans Lake Public Access was set on fire. The fire then spread to surrounding brush. The suspect vehicle is a white Ford F150, extended cab. The public access is …

An investigation is now underway after police shot and killed an armed robbery suspect after he opened fire on them in Niles late Friday night. Niles Police, Michigan State Police, and Berrien County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call of an armed robbery at a fast food restaurant. Investigators say the suspect identified as 39-year old Eddie Macon Jr. of …

Hal Stienbarger, age 92, of Mendon, died Monday May 5, 2014 at the Birches AFC in Leonidas. He was born at the family farm in Mendon on Aug. 9, 1921 the son of Clark H. and Bessie B. (Casselman) Stienbarger. He attended the North Star Country School and was a lifetime resident of Mendon. Hal engaged in general and dairy …

Nora May Adkins, 65, of White Pigeon, died at 6:18 p.m., on Saturday, May 3, 2014 at her residence of natural causes. She was born on May 2, 1949, in West Virginia, to Nolice and Erma (Bradshaw) Adkins. Surviving are two daughters, Terri (Jeff) Steiner of Jones and Rebecca (Tim) Chandler of Schoolcraft; a son, John (Amanda) Davis of Los …

Erma V. Mahler, 89, formerly of Mishawaka, Indiana, died Saturday in Three Rivers. The South Bend, Indiana native was born Sept. 9, 1924 to Baziel and Emily (Talboon) Vlaeminck. Erma retired from Taylor Products after 32 years of employment and was a member of the Ladies’ Auxiliaries of the V.F.W.; D.A.V.; American Legion; AMVETS and the Ladies of the Moose. …

An inmate at the St. Joseph County Jail is dead after he hanged himself Thursday afternoon. Sheriff Brad Balk said Kenneth Huey, 43, of Three Rivers, was discovered in his cell shortly after returning from a court proceeding. The nature of the hearing centered on a domestic assault incident, Balk said. Jail personnel administered CPR and an automated external defibrillator …

White Pigeon Township resident Vickie Schroen is $5,000 richer after she was the winner in Saturday’s Cow-Poo-Looza III at Central Elementary. The $20 ticket she bought just hours before the start of the event proved to be the entry that coordinated with the square on which a cow defecated. The action took place about 10 minutes after the cow, named …

The 51st Mendon Dust-Off drew more than 500 show cars and several hundred spectators to Mendon High School Sunday. Event organizers said a clear day helped attract a large number of participants despite a strong wind. The event is one of two major fundraisers for the Mendon Kiwanis, which relies on the $3-per-spectator admission fee to provide scholarships to Mendon …