Sturgis Public Schools officials have announced that the original bond to construct Eastwood School has been paid off. The school was built following a 1992 voter-approved bond and opened in 1994 as a facility for fourth through sixth grades. The initial bond was more than $7.5 million, though debt on the 1992 bond was refinanced in 1997 and again in …

Patricia Louise Noel, age 83, of Vicksburg, passed away on Tuesday, July 24, 2018 at her home following a long illness. She was born in Schoolcraft on April 11, 1935 the daughter of Lawrence and Alice (Downey) Beebe. She graduated from Vicksburg High School in 1953 and continued her education at Parsons Business College prior to joining Ronningen-Petter / Dover …

Justin Taylor will be back with the Kalamazoo Wings when they kick off their 45th season of hockey this fall. Taylor, 29, came back from a possible career-ending injury last season to post a career-high in goals scored with 35.  Taylor was also named as the K-Wings MVP last season. During a playoff game against the Toledo Walleye in 2017, …

We are two brothers.  I am Mango I am reserved and take awhile to warm up.  My brother is Mandarin, and I have longer hair, and I am more outgoing and I love to be petted.  I am very playful.  I quickly start to purr But we both started to purr while the lady taking our pictures was with us.  We are five …

A Sturgis woman was arrested on drug-related charges earlier this week. Sturgis officers were notified around 6 p.m. Monday that a woman approximately 30 years old had been loitering in the 200 block of South Street. Officers located the female in question, finding her a short distance away. Through investigation, officers found she was in possession of methamphetamine. Her name …

Centreville Public Schools has offered a contract to Chad Brady to serve as its junior/senior high principal, according to superintendent Stephanie Lemmer. The move was made during Monday’s board of education meeting. Brady replaces Matt Hawkins, who spent two years in the position but has accepted a similar job in Vicksburg. Brady taught at Kalamazoo Public Schools for 11 years …

Authorities say a body has been found that’s believed to be that of a man who was reported missing while canoeing in southwestern Michigan. The Berrien County sheriff’s office says 35-year-old Michael Scott of Kalamazoo was last seen canoeing Saturday on the St. Joseph River with friends. Crews searched the river for him with no immediate success. The sheriff’s office …

Drugmaker Pfizer Inc. plans to expand manufacturing in Michigan and add 450 jobs under an incentives deal approved Tuesday by the state’s economic development arm. The company is expected to spend $465 million building a new facility in Portage near Kalamazoo, with production starting in 2024. The Michigan Strategic Fund Board approved an $11.5 million package, including $10.5 million in …

Dolores A. Bertrand, age 83, of Colon, passed away Monday, July 23, 2018, at Promedica Coldwater Regional Hospital, surrounded by her family. Dolores was born May 15, 1935, in Portland, Ore., a daughter of the late Archie and Ruby (Currier) Eddy. On Sept. 29, 1954, she married Delos Bertrand of Battle Creek. Dolores was an avid member of Colon American …

FireKeepers Casino Hotel in southern Michigan plans to expand its hotel by building a second tower. The Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi announced Monday that an aim is to attract more people from across the Midwest to the casino and hotel near Battle Creek. They also hope to bring in new and larger conventions and business meetings. FireKeepers Casino …