The St. Joseph County Register of Deeds office is advising that a South Dakota company has sent direct-mail solicitation to county residents seeking a significant sum of money for property records. Records may be obtained from the county’s Register of Deeds Office at a cost of a few dollars. St. Joseph County Clerk Pattie Bender said the company, Property Transfer …

Starting next month, Colon Community Schools will be issuing to most of its students Google Chromebook notebooks. More than 600 of the notebooks were purchased with money left over from the $15.1 million millage request approved by district residents a few years ago. Interim Superintendent Jay Newman said the Samsung-made personal computers will be distributed starting in January from the …

A prosecutor says a Battle Creek police officer was justified in shooting a 14-year-old boy who had a toy gun in the waistband of his pants. The Battle Creek Enquirer and WOOD-TV report that Calhoun County Prosecutor David Gilbert says the officer “violated no criminal law” when he wounded the boy in the shoulder Nov. 16 while responding to a …

Officials say a southwestern Michigan high school gymnasium that lost part of its roof in a windstorm is expected to be unusable for about two more months.  Workers have been trying to repair damage to Mattawan High School in Van Buren County. The Nov. 17 storm blew off part of the roof, sending water into the gym and cafeteria. Superintendent …

Philip G. Clipfell, age 80, of Colon, passed away, Friday, Dec. 13, 2013, at his home surrounded by his family. Philip was born May l, 1933, in Three Rivers, a son to the late Wyman and Ruth (Pridgeon) Clipfell. Philip had made his home in Colon all his life, graduating from Colon High School with the Class of 1950. On …

Because it takes about two weeks after receiving the flu vaccine to be fully protected against the flu virus, state health officials urge Michiganders to get a flu shot before they head to holiday parties and other gatherings where infections can spread rapidly. Angela Minicuci, of the Michigan Department of Community Health, says influenza can lead to serious illness and …

Thomas Joe Hart, 83, of Ada, and formerly of Caledonia, died Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013, at Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, following an extended illness. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was born Dec. 6, 1930, in Lauderdale County, Ala., a son of Joseph Henry and Minnie Myrtle (Austin) Hart. He had been a …

A big name in the country/western music genre will bring her talent to Centreville next year. Officials from the St. Joseph County Grange Fair announced Reba McEntire will be the headline entertainer at the Sept. 20, closing-night performance. The 58-year-old Oklahoma native has won 15 American Music awards, 13 American Country Music awards, nine People’s Choice awards and two Grammy …

The St. Joseph County Community Action Agency is taking appointments for assistance with heat, electric and deliverable fuels. Community Action officials said no DHS decision notice is required and prospective recipients need only to present a past-due notice. For deliverable fuels, a fuel-storage tank must be at or below 25 percent. An appointment may be scheduled by phoning 877-422-2726.

Members of the St. Joseph County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 106 presented $500 checks to the Sturgis American Legion Post 73 and Three Rivers American Legion Post 170 during a ceremony Thursday at the FOP lodge, east of Centreville. Treasurer Kathy Pangle presented the money to Al Phillips, of the Three Rivers legion, and Norm Brown, representing the Sturgis …