Centreville junior-senior high school principal Matt Hawkins is leaving the district. Hawkins has accepted the job of assistant principal for Vicksburg High School. Hawkins, from Three Rivers, has been at Centreville Public Schools for two years. Keevin O’Neill, the most recent Vicksburg principal, was appointed as the new superintendent. Adam Brush, former assistant principal at the school, is taking over …

Here’s a look at some times and locations for local fireworks tonight: Decatur — dusk, Lake of the Woods Constantine — dusk, Little League Fields Colon — Dusk, elementary school Schoolcraft — 10 p.m., high school

David Nelson Alleshouse, age 75, of Mendon, went to be with the Lord on Monday, July 2, 2018 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born in Sturgis on March 8, 1943 the son of Nelson J. and Merna Mae (Hart) Alleshouse. David graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 1961 where he was active in sports …

Authorities are looking for help in locating subjects who broke into Eastside Elementary School in Constantine, and committed extensive damage in several classrooms. Police said the incident happened between 2 p.m. on Monday, July 2nd and 6 a.m. on Tuesday, July 3rd. Most of the damage involved school tables, but the subjects also poured what appeared to be cleaning solvent …

Police say 15 train cars have derailed in downtown Kalamazoo. No injuries have been reported. The city’s Department of Public Safety says the train was carrying freight, not passengers, and some cars were empty. There’s no evidence of hazardous materials being released. The derailment was reported around 6:50 a.m. Tuesday.  (AP)

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t appreciate ‘FREE stuff. It’s difficult to find anything these days that doesn’t come with a price. This year’s Water Festival had quite a few activities that didn’t cost one cent. It hasn’t been a month and yet here’s another event that is absolutely FREE. Core Community member Kirstin Vander Giessen-Reitsma would like everyone to …

A new Michigan law eliminates a requirement that teachers take the SAT, the standardized test commonly used in college admissions. The test was required for people who wanted to become certified to teach in Michigan. But critics say it’s not a good indicator of a successful teacher. Sen. Marty Knollenberg, a Republican from Troy, says the SAT doesn’t measure enthusiasm, …

Michigan officials say they’re seeing higher numbers of bats with rabies. The Department of Health and Human Services says its labs had diagnosed 22 bats with the fatal illness as of June 28. A year ago, the total was nine. Two rabid skunks also have turned up. Rabies is a viral disease transmitted through the bite or scratch of an …

JoAnn (Frays) Groth, age 75, of Centreville, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 1, 2018 at the Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Centreville near her family and a very loving and caring Fairview staff. JoAnn was born in the Centreville area and lived there her entire life. She held several jobs, including at Transagram,  The Sturgis …

Albert E. “Al” Jensen, age 86, of Vicksburg, died Saturday, June 30, 2018 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo. He was born in Chicago, on Oct. 18, 1931 the son of Albert and Edna (Werthe) Jenson. The family moved to the Vicksburg area when Al entered the 5th grade, and he graduated from Vicksburg High School in 1949. He worked …