State Rep. Aaron Miller, chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State Police, said the subcommittee has advanced a budget plan prioritizing funds to strengthen public safety throughout Michigan. The proposed budget includes a $1 million grant to help prevent sexual assaults on college campuses; $200,000 to support improved software within Michigan’s Advanced 911 system; and $5.5 million for a …

Glen Oaks Community College had a 7.3 percent increase in student headcount and a 10.1 percent increase in credit hours as enrollment numbers are finalized for the winter 2018 semester compared to a year ago. It represents an upward trend for the sixth straight semester. Glen Oaks president David Devier said the school’s overall enrollment is 1,232 students this semester. …

Employees at DuPont Pioneer and Monsanto seed-corn companies in Constantine recently held a competition to see which could collect the most items for the food pantry at Messiah Lutheran Church in Constantine. In the end, Monsanto collected the most items: 3,380 pounds versus 1,468 pounds collected by Pioneer. It is the fourth year for the competition. Food pantry director Sue Outman …

Betty L. Pinney, age 92, of Sturgis, passed away Monday, March 26, 2018, at Thurston Woods Village. She was born Jan. 1, 1926, in Massillon, Ohio, a daughter of the late Lyman and Nora (France) Kaser. Betty had been a resident of Sturgis since 1955, coming here from Ohio. She was first married to Walter L. Ream and he preceded …

St. Joseph County’s largest school district has secured its new superintendent. Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education last week announced it plans to begin contract negotiations with Arthur Ebert. He replaces Tom Langdon, who announced last year he would be retiring at the end of March. Ebert over the past three years has served as deputy superintendent and executive director …

Three Rivers Community Schools will continue its search for a permanent superintendent by interviewing four candidates. The district last week reviewed a slate of 18 candidates before narrowing its choices to four. They are: Spencer Byrd, superintendent of Meridian School District in the southern tip of Illinois; Jeff Rehlander, superintendent at Gobles Public Schools in Van Buren County; Ron Moag, …

A 17-year-old Three Rivers resident was arraigned last week after he allegedly committed a crime while in possession of a firearm March 18. Austin Palmer appeared in District Court on a charge of armed robbery after he attempted to leave the Three Rivers Menards without paying for an energy drink. When confronted by store security, Palmer allegedly displayed a handgun, …

January’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County was six-tenths of a percent higher than the previous month. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed the county’s 4.3 percent January unemployment rate marked an increase from December’s 3.7 percent. St. Joseph County was below the state unemployment average, which was 5.3 percent in January. …

Kenneth Charles Westfall, age 73, of Three Rivers, passed away on Friday, March 23, 2018.  He was born on May 27, 1944 in Dowagiac, the son of the late Clarence Wellington and Vivian June (Rudd) Westfall. Ken proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force where he served in Guam.  He was honorably discharged on June 21, 1968. On …

Tegan Richard VanScoik, 11, of Three Rivers, passed away Thursday, March 22, 2018 at Bronson Hospital. He was born in Tallahassee, FL on August 23, 2006, a son of Philip VanScoik and Crystal Stewart. Tegan attended Riverside Elementary School in Constantine. He enjoyed cars, especially hot wheels, being outdoors, fishing, biking and sports as well as playing his X-Box. Tegan …