A plan to update and clarify counseling practices under Michigan law was approved Tuesday by the Michigan House. The law has not been updated since it was enacted in 1988. State Rep. Aaron Miller, who introduced the plan, said updates are needed because the state Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs has proposed a rule that strikes the majority of …

Two men were arrested after the Cass County Drug Enforcement Team executed a search warrant at an Edwardsburg residence this week. Sheriff Richard Behnke said detectives on Tuesday served a search warrant in the 24000 block of May Street. Deputies became concerned after fielding a tip on suspicion that the use and sale of methamphetamine was taking place there. Upon …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency wishes to remind residents about the importance of preventative screening related to breast cancer. Yvonne Atwood, director of personal health and disease prevention at the tri-county health department, said mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early. She added that early detection makes it easier for medical professionals to treat. She said …

Centreville Jr./ Sr. High School has earned accreditation, principal Chad Brady told school board members recently. Brady shared with the board a certificate that verifies the school met criteria for educational quality established by the AdvancED Accreditation Commission. Last fall, district officials learned the school was a candidate for accreditation. Brady said that although some schools take a year to prepare …

Glen Oaks Community College has started the Fall 2019 semester with some new staff members, while other employees have taken on new roles. Michael Goldin is serving as the interim dean of academics following the recent retirement of Patricia Morgenstern. Goldin has been assistant dean at Glen Oaks since 2018. Assisting Goldin will be Maria Jose Rodriguez Mora, interim, assistant …

Tim Taylor, commodore and coordinator for the annual Palmer Lake Flotilla, said the theme for the 2020 event will be “The Holidays.” Next year marks the 14th Flotilla and it will take place July 4. Participants will be advised to decorate their pontoon, deck boat or fishing boat around a specific holiday. Participants on land, meanwhile, may get involved by decorating …

Helen May (Olson) Shellenberger, age 91, of DeWitt, Michigan passed away in the early morning hours of Sunday, October 6, 2019. She was born in Muskegon on October 20, 1927 the daughter of Oscar and Grace (Miel) Olson. In 1948 Helen was united in marriage to Jack William Shellenberger and together they celebrated 42 years of marriage until his passing …

Mike Dwane VanPelt, age 61, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, October 5, 2019 at his home. He was born February 25, 1958 in Sturgis, son of the late Norman D. and Betty Jean (Jourdan) VanPelt. Mike was a lifelong Sturgis resident and graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1976. Mike was employed by Morgan Olson in …

Barbara Louise Thrapp, age 96, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday afternoon, October 5, 2019 at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She was born November 3, 1922 in Ann Arbor, daughter of the late Leo B. and Wilma E. (Case) Purdy. Barbara resided most of her life in Sturgis with the exception of living in California for 12 years. She married …

Edward “Popps” Schrader, Sr., age 80, of Constantine, left his loved ones to be with God on Saturday, the 5th of October 2019 in his home. At the time of his departure, he had his wonderful wife of 57 years, Wanda (Howard) Schrader, and three sons, Edward Schrader Jr. of Constantine, Scott Schrader of Three Rivers and Shawn Schrader of …