The executive director of the Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority has announced he will be stepping down from the position next month. Dave Vago said he plans to concentrate on his health and other personal affairs, prompting his need to resign effective Dec. 10. Vago has also served as head of the city’s Michigan Main Street program.

Eight months to the day they declined to renew the contract of their village manager, Colon municipal leaders finally found the long-sought replacement. A contract for Patricia Rayl was approved by the Colon Village Council during Tuesday’s meeting. The $60,000 contract will secure Rayl’s services for at least one year. Council member Ruth Ann Kuhlmann said four applications were received …

An Edwardsburg man was injured after the vehicle he was driving struck the rear of a car Wednesday morning in Cass County’s Porter Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 5:40 a.m. to an area on U.S. 12, east of South River Road in Porter Township. Investigators said a car driven by 56-year-old David Wolfe struck a deer. …

St. Joseph County Sheriff Brad Balk is seeking young men and women interested in serving in the department’s explorer program. Open to people 14 to 21 years of age, the explorer program is encouraged for people who have an interest in law enforcement as a potential career. Prospective participants must have completed eighth grade at least. More information is available …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has announced it now features a new logo and website. Officials from the Coldwater-based agency said its previous logo and website were showing their age, warranting a need for something new and fresh. Health officer Rebecca Burns said she is happy to see that the upgrades are more eye-catching than the previous logo and …

The Salvation Army in St. Joseph County has extended the deadline for taking Christmas applications. The original deadline was Nov. 2, but the agency is still accepting applications until further notice. Applicants may apply at its Sturgis office, 105 N. Fourth St. Prospective applicants will need to bring photo identification, proof of income for the last 30 days, and birth …

Kenneth LeRoy Davis, age 86, of Sturgis, passed away early Monday morning, Nov. 12, 2018, at Sturgis Hospital. He was born Dec. 12, 1931, in Sturgis, a son of the late Clifford and Helen (Gest) Davis. Ken was a lifelong Sturgis resident. On June 5, 1965, he married he married Rebecca Jean Payton in Stroh, Ind. He had been employed …

My father reminded me more than once that if you don’t learn something new every day, you’ve missed out on a learning experience. I’m not sure if I accomplish this, but at least once a week, I learn a new word. The word this week is “Aphorism”. Aphorism is a statement of truth or opinion expressed in a concise and …

Bruce M. Jones, age 85, of Centreville, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018 at Borgess Medical Center following a brief illness.  He was born in Schenectady, NY., the son of the late Duane and Frances (Miller) Jones and moved to Centreville in 1949. Bruce graduated from Centreville High School in 1951, where he was class Treasurer and attended Boys …

Stephen M. Snyder, age 57, of Kalamazoo, died Monday, Nov. 12, 2018, at his home. He was born Feb. 20, 1961, in Three Rivers, a son of Ralph A. and Harriet J. (Hutton) Snyder. He was a 1979 graduate of White Pigeon High School, where he was on the cross country track team and played french horn in the band. …