Leondard D. Cross, age 84, of Sherwood, passed away, Friday, March 14, 2014, at his home. Visitation will be Wednesday, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the Schipper Funeral Home LTD. in Colon. Funeral services will be Thursday, March 20, 2014, at 11 a.m. at the Factoryville Bible Church in Factoryville, MI.

A 33-year-old Burr Oak man died from a gunshot wound during a domestic dispute around 10:30 p.m. in Burr Oak Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Dennis Brooks died from a gunshot wound to the head at Townline Road, near Farrand Road, on the border of Burr Oak and Colon townships. Investigators said Maria Audrey-Louise Williams, 34, is …

There’s some good news for county government and municipalities facing road-budget shortfalls in St. Joseph and Cass counties, as the Michigan Legislature has approved $215 million in supplemental road funding. State Rep. Matt Lori said $100 million of the emergency funds will go to county and municipal governments to deal with deficits as a result of the inordinate amount of …

A 20-year-old Centreville resident was cited for careless driving after his car struck a parked vehicle Thursday morning in downtown Centreville. Charles Parker was cited after he failed to clear ice from his vehicle’s windshield, according to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department. The distraction was a factor in a collision with a parked vehicle in which 74-year-old Roy Buel …

Mendon volleyball coach Kathy Trenary is a finalist for national coach of the year. The National High School Athletic Coaches Association has named Trenary as one of eight candidates for the position. The winner will be announced during the association’s annual meeting in Jackson Hole, Wyo., in June. Trenary said she plans to attend the four-day conference. Trenary said nominations …

A field of three superintendent finalists for Colon Community Schools will be identified next week. Four candidates – Victor Bungi, Mike Campbell, Robert Jansen and Drew Bordner – were interviewed Monday. The process continued Tuesday when Eric Kistler, Mike Corey and Pam Duffy were interviewed. Board of Education President Ernie Baker said the next step will be taken Monday, when …

The city of Sturgis has reached an agreement to purchase the Wood Motel and its property. Located near the high-profile intersection of Chicago and Centerville roads, the parcel is being acquired in part through a community development block grant, according to city manager Mike Hughes. The city plans to demolish the single-level motel and, according to terms of the grant, …

Brooke Howard, a Mendon High School senior, has been named to the Associated Press Class C all-state basketball team. Mendon’s all-time leading scorer in girls’ basketball, the 5-foot-11 Howard received honorable mention as a sophomore and was a first-team all-state honoree her junior year. Howard, who was named the Sturgis Journal’s Female Prep Athlete of the Year in 2013, was …

A 15-year-old Leonidas teen is spearheading a fundraiser this weekend to support the Great Lakes Burn Camp. Shyannah Stevens, with some help from members of the Leonidas Fire Department, is overseeing a pancake breakfast 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Leonidas Grange Hall. All donations will go toward the camp that hosts teenagers who are burn victims. The one-week …

Results of a needs-assessment questionnaire, distributed jointly by Sturgis Hospital and Three Rivers Health, have been released. The second of five fields focuses on Access to Health Care. The results show leading issues among 620 respondents relate to a lack of affordable health insurance coverage, the cost of medical care and the lack of access to services. Other data from …