Sturgis Public Schools officials this week decided to keep its transportation services in-house rather than contract bus-driving services. During Monday’s board of education meeting, members acted on a recommendation of a committee to retain its own staff and employees. The measure was a relief to several bus drivers who attended the meeting, according to Superintendent Tom Langdon. Committee members studied …

A breaking-and-entering incident in Fabius Township is being investigated by state police. According to a department media release, the break-in occurred between 9:30 and 9:50 a.m. Tuesday at a residence in the 10000 block of Harder Road. Details regarding the method of entry and whether anything was stolen were not indicated in the release.

A 53-year-old Three Rivers man was not injured after a one-vehicle accident Monday morning in Three Rivers. Three Rivers Police said Kenneth Haines was driving west on Broadway Street when he lost control of his vehicle and struck a power pole on the north side of the roadway, just before South Hooker Avenue. Haines told police he apparently fell asleep.

The Community Action Agency of St. Joseph County has issued a media release providing advance notice about its 29th Walk for Warmth event. Nancy Percival, CAA board member, said the fundraiser will take place Feb. 22. It will take place simultaneously in six communities in St. Joseph, Barry, Branch and Calhoun counties. A fundraising goal of $50,000 has been set. …

State health officials are urging Michiganders to get a flu shot, especially since the state’s vaccination rate was no better than 42nd in the nation last year. Last flu season, only 40.8 percent of Michigan’s residents were vaccinated against the flu. This was below the national flu vaccination coverage of 45 percent. Michigan lags behind the U.S. estimates for flu …

James Albert “Jimmy” Johnson, age 90, of Three Rivers, passed away early Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at his home surrounded by loving family. He was born in Constantine, MI., on November 23, 1923 the son of the late Ralph L. and Nellie Mae (Carnes) Johnson. Jimmy has been a lifetime member of this area. Together, Jim and his wife, Margaret …

Peg Brown, age 79, of Burr Oak, passed away early Tuesday evening, Dec. 10, 2013, at Indiana University Health Goshen Hospital in Goshen, Ind. She was born Aug. 26, 1934, in Sturgis, a daughter of the late Robert and Lucille (Sumney) VanDeventer. Peg was a lifelong resident of the Colon, Sturgis and Burr Oak area and a graduate of Colon …

Mary Louise Meadows, age 75, of Three Rivers passed away on Thursday, November 28, 2013 at Heartland Healthcare Center. Mary was born in Ridgeway, MI on January 20, 1938 the daughter of Mearl and Mildred(Bame)Robinson. Mary was preceded in death by husband, Johnie James Meadows; sons, David Meadows and Timothy Robinson; five sisters and two brothers. Mary leaves to cherish …

I have always believed in fate, and that the world is small. The saying, “It’s a small world”, came true the Friday after this past Thanksgiving, often referred to as “BLACK FRIDAY”. My wife and I enjoy visiting a particular eating establishment near Constantine on Friday evenings. Upon arriving there on Black Friday, we discovered that it was temporarily closed, …

Teresa Louise “Blue Bike” Williams-Holdren, age 50, was released from a long four-year battle of Hodgkins lymphoma at her home on the morning of Dec. 5, 2013. She was born Dec. 5, 1963, in Grand Rapids, to the late Lois Ann Hagen and Ronald James Schipper. She was a resident of Sturgis for a short three years and briefly lived …