Audrey M. Smith, age 73, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away late Friday afternoon, Aug. 23, 2013, at the Lifespan Good Samaritan Hospice Residence in Battle Creek, Mich. She was born May 24, 1940, in Sturgis, Mich., only child of the late Floyd E. and Betty J. (Hollister) Smith. Audrey was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis High …

William Allen (Bill) Miller, age 79, of Nottawa, left this world and loving family behind and went to his heavenly home on Aug. 24, 2013, following a lengthy illness at his home.  He was born Feb. 1, 1934, in Hartville, Ohio, to the late Atlee P. and Susanna (Cross) Miller. Retired from his own fiberglass company, he then had a …

The July unemployment rate in St. Joseph County rose by more than a full percent compared to the previous month. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 9.8 percent July unemployment rate was more than June’s 8.4 percent. Still, the July 2013 unemployment rate was one-tenths of a percent less …

Names of the seven suspects arrested during a pair of drug-related raids at neighboring homes last week in Mottville Township have been released. White Pigeon residents Kenna Patterson, 21, and Timothy Patterson, 27, were released on $10,000 personal recognizance bond. Terri Lynn Nowicki, 40, of White Pigeon, remains in the St. Joseph County jail with a $50,000 bond. Gary Nowicki, …

A 68-year-old Three Rivers man sought medical attention after he was involved in a three-vehicle crash last week. According to Three Rivers Police, Richard Crandall and 56-year-old Debra Edwards, of Marcellus, were stopped on southbound Main Street at Hoffman Road Thursday morning, when a southbound SUV driven by 49-year-old David Hembree rear-ended Edwards’ vehicle, which crashed into the back of …

Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners have granted requests to fill two court positions. Commissioners OK’d District Court to fill a deputy clerk position to replace Sally Wickum, who plans to retire later this year. The entry-level pay is $13.46 an hour. Meanwhile, Probate Court was given clearance to fill the position of juvenile register. The post …

Rosa M. Miller, age 80, of Burr Oak, passed away late Thursday evening, Aug. 22, 2013, at Heartland Health Care Center in Three Rivers. She was born Aug. 12, 1933, in Burr Oak, a daughter of the late Levi and Hattie (Schallhorn) Hill. Rosa was a lifelong resident of Burr Oak and a graduate of Burr Oak High School with …

Vernon B. Bontrager, age 70, a lifelong resident of St. Joseph County, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2013, at Thurston Woods Village. He was born Jan. 2, 1943, in Sturgis, a son of the late Benedict and Mary (Hochstetler) Bontrager. On Dec. 7, 1963, he married Mary Louise Schwartz at Locust Grove Mennonite Church. She preceded him in death March …

Colleen Rose Carrico, age 87, formerly of Centreville died July 29, 2013 in Thornton, Colorado. Colleen was born in Kalamazoo on Aug. 3, 1925 the daughter of William Elbert and Rose Elizabeth (Delaney) Carrico. She completed her high school education at Nazareth Academy in Kalamazoo in 1943 and graduated from the Borgess School of Nursing in 1946. Colleen worked for …

Some Michigan lawmakers are looking at lifting the 70 mph cap on highway speeds and making other changes to reduce speed traps. Grand Ledge Sen. Rick Jones is working on a bill with fellow Republican Tom Casperson from Escanaba they want to introduce this fall. One upshot could be speed limits rising to 75 mph or 80 mph on some …