Officials say a 60-year-old man has died after apparently losing his balance and falling into a pile of burning leaves in southwestern Michigan. The Cass County sheriff’s department says in a statement that Bobby Wayne Quick was burning leaves Sunday afternoon at his home in Howard Township when he was seen trying to get out of the pile. The department …

Police say northern Indiana officers fatally shot a driver who led them on a chase lasting more than 40 minutes that crossed the state line into Michigan. Indiana State Police say the chase began Sunday night in Elkhart when a city police officer tried to stop a pickup truck that had been reported stolen. State police Sgt. Trent Smith says …

A 20-year-old man told police he was shot after refusing to give his money to a pair of would-be robbers. Sturgis Police said a call of gunshots in the vicinity of Main and Jean streets was received around 2 a.m. Sunday. A search in the area found nothing suspicious. The victim, however, went to the emergency room at Sturgis Hospital …

A trio of area high school football teams claimed district crowns over the weekend and are two games away from playing for a state championship. Mendon, Constantine and Schoolcraft all remain in the playoffs, while Cassopolis saw its season come to an end Friday. For the third consecutive post-season, Mendon ended Climax-Scotts’ season. On Saturday, the Hornets won on their …

Carol Dienes  was presented the 2013 Patriot Award last week by the organization Friends and Family Supporting our Military. Staged Tuesday at the Sturgis Armory, the locally founded organization concluded its banquet with the honor bestowed upon Dienes, who was one of five people nominated for the 2013 award. Dienes, of Michiana Snax, was recognized for her continued support of …

Cass County prosecutor Victor Fitz said a 15-year-old Eau Claire girl has pled guilty to driving without a valid license causing death following a June incident during which a Jones man was killed. Fitz said Sonia Sahavedra  made the plea in juvenile court last week. She was charged with the offense after she drove a car June 26 and caused …

Hattie C. King, age 90, of Constantine, died Thursday Nov. 7, 2013 at her daughter’s home in Avon, IN. She was born in Saginaw, MI on Jan. 25, 1923 the daughter of Howard and Helen (Watson) Hagerman. The family later moved to Three Rivers where she graduated from Three Rivers High School. She was married to Herbert R. King in …

Doris Marie Blankenship, age 52, of Sturgis and formerly of Mendon died Saturday Nov. 9, 2013 at Heartland Health Care Center in Three Rivers. She was born in Three Rivers on Dec. 6, 1960 the daughter of Benny and Marion (Davis) Blankenship and has been a lifetime resident of St. Joseph County. She graduated from Mendon High School with the …

Kenneth “Kenny” Hunsberger, 71, of Three Rivers, died Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013 in Three Rivers Health. He was born Aug. 8, 1942 in Niles to Walter and Kathryn (Tyler) Hunsberger. He married Elaine Mary Swiatkowski Sept. 28, 1963 in Cassopolis. She survives. He was preceded in death by his parents. Kenneth will be greatly missed by family and friends. He …

Oscar G. Grant, 95, of White Pigeon, died Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013, at Sturgis Hospital, following an extended illness. He was born April 28, 1918, in LaGrange County, Ind., a son of George B. and Marie (Swinehart) Grant. He had been a resident of the White Pigeon area most of his life. On Nov. 6, 1940, he married June R. …