A 25-year-old Constantine man was injured last week after the vehicle he was driving crashed into a tree in Florence Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said it fielded a call around 1 a.m. Friday in response to a one-car accident on Sevison Road near Mintdale Road. Upon arrival, deputies saw a 2007 Ford F-250 crashed into a tree …

A Sturgis Hospital employee is spearheading a fundraising effort to benefit a rural Filipino community devastated by this month’s typhoon. Noel Fontanilla, a native of the Philippines, is hoping his effort will help the village of Cangumbang. The community is where a pair of Sturgis High School graduates, Elsa Thomasma and Carter Brown was working on a community/evacuation center. Fontanilla, …

Appointments and re-appointments were made by members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners last week. Constantine-area resident David Miars was reappointed to another three-year term on the county’s Board of Public Works. His current term expires at the end of the year. Deb Leyes of Sturgis was tapped to serve a one-year term as a general-public representative on …

History repeated itself Friday, as the Mendon Lady Hornets for the second consecutive year bowed out of the state’s Class C volleyball semi-finals. After coming up short against Beal City in 2012, Mendon fell Friday to Grand Rapids Covenant Christian, there games to one. The Lady Hornets finish the season with a record of 49 wins, eight loses and two …

The St. Joseph County Probate Court will celebrate on Tuesday the 11th annual Michigan Adoption Day during a program at the county courthouse. Staged in conjunction with the Department of Human Services, the event takes place in Judge David Tomlinson’s courtroom from 10 a.m. to noon. “Giving Thanks for Families” is the theme of the 2013 celebration. Organizers said Tuesday’s …

James Willie Deale, age 86, of Mendon, went to be with his Lord on Thursday, November 21, 2013 at his home following a brief illness. James was one of eight children born to Mr. Willie Deale and Mrs. Hattie Deale on August 18, 1927  in Vicksburg, Mississippi. James later moved with his family to Chicago, Illinois where he graduated from …

Jeanette Rose Avila, age 87, of Three Rivers passed away peacefully at Riverview Manor on Thursday Nov. 21, 2013. She was born in Milwaukee, WI on Oct. 10, 1926 the daughter of Frederick and Rose (Holland) Schade. Jeanette later moved to San Mateo, CA where she met John Steven Avila. They were married on May 8, 1948, on Mother’s Day …

Two people were injured early Monday in a 1-car crash at 1am. The driver was identified as 37-year-old James Devries. He rolled his full size conversion van at the intersection of Wakeman and Baer Roads. County sheriff’s deputies say he fled the scene of the crash, but was later found walking up to his home by an awaiting officer. Devries …

Wayne Edward Outman, age 90, of Leonidas, died Saturday Nov. 23, 2013 at his home. He was born on March 20, 1928 the son of Lloyd Edward and Elda Marie Krum (Hagelgans) Outman and has been a lifetime resident of Leonidas. Wayne graduated from Colon High School in 1941. He joined the U.S Marine Corps in 1941 and served in …

Raymond “Sonny” Hugh Wright, 104, of Three Rivers, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013 at Park Village Pines, Kalamazoo. He was born on July 19, 1909 in St. Joseph County, the son of the late Hugh John and Irma (Ayers) Wright. Mr. Wright was united in marriage to Mrs. Twilla A (Oxley) Wright on Aug. 15, 1938 in Warsaw, …