The Michigan Department of Transportation Southwest Region is holding informational open houses at each of its three Transportation Service Centers this week. MDOT’s Nick Schirripa said TSC staff will be present at each location to discuss project selection, transportation funding, construction projects and other issues. Whether it’s highway and bridge conditions, project types, traffic signals and speed limits, snow removal …

A Cassopolis man died as a result of a motorcycle crash Monday evening at 8pm. The victim was identified as 50-year-old Ronald Turnbow. He lost control of his cycle on Chain Lake Street and crashed. Turnbow was not wearing a helmet.

A Vandalia man was injured in a motorcycle crash Monday evening on Daily Road. 19-year-old Connor Wright lost control of his cycle. He was taken to Lakeland Niles Hospital for treatment. He was wearing a helmet.

Gerald P. “Jerry” Bennett, age 72, of Kline’s Resort, Three Rivers, died peacefully at his home on Saturday Sep. 7, 2013 following a long illness. He was born in Battle Creek on July 13, 1941 and was the son of Virgil C. and Ethel (Shook) Bennett. Jerry attended Battle Creek Lakeview High School, and worked briefly for the Grand Trunk …

More than 400 motorcycles were part of Saturday’s 30th Sturgis Toy Run procession. Organizers of the annual event said good weather and the occasion of the Toy Run’s milestone contributed to a strong crowd of more than 2,000 people attending the Toy Run after-party at the event’s Kelly Road location in Burr Oak Township. Toy Run Board President Pat Linnan …

Glen Oaks Community College officials have announced a reverse-transfer agreement with Ferris State University. Glen Oaks students who transfer to Ferris prior to receiving their associate’s degree may be eligible to obtain their two-year degree from Glen Oaks by transferring their Ferris credits back to GOCC, as part of the agreement announced last week. Glen Oaks President Gary Wheeler said …

A forum hosted by the Fabius Township Wetlands Committee, will focus on regional efforts to inform area landowners of available tools, programs and financial incentives to protect the area’s remaining wetlands and restore some that have been lost. The forum, entitled “River Country Riches: Landowner Incentives to Preserve Private Wetlands for Regional Benefit,” will take place Sept. 24 at 6:30 …

Officials from the ALDI grocery store chain say ground was broken this last week for the company’s Three Rivers store. Earth-moving equipment was brought to the area of Broadway Road in front of Home Depot, where the 16,400-square-foot store will be constructed. The store, which is one of more than 1,200 in 32 states, is expected to open in early …

State Rep. Matt Lori last week announced a grant to eliminate blight in downtown Dowagiac by funding rehabilitation of a historic building into a movie theater and residential units. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation approved the $171,005 Community Development Block Grant enabling a local firm to rehabilitate the building, located at 115 S. Front St. The building is currently in …

Lucile L. Lovejoy, age 94, of  Constantine, passed away Saturday, September 7th, 2013 at Three Rivers Health Hospital. She was born in Chicago, IL on September 6, 1919, a daughter of Matthew and Margaret (Schmidt) Schumacher. Lucile graduated from Middlebury High School in 1937, and later received her degree in dairy testing from Michigan State University in 1957. Lucile first …