A small step toward the new Commission On Aging headquarters and its on-site residences was taken Tuesday by St. Joseph County’s board of commissioners. At the request of COA Director Tim Stoll, commissioners authorized the use of $10,000 from COA’s fund balance to hire a Chicago-based consultant. The firm RealtyMetrix will assist with pursuing New Market Tax Credits. Stoll said …

Barbara E. (Strawser) Benstead of Summerfield, FL, died Feb. 7, 2018. Cremains were interred in White Pigeon Township Cemetery. Local arrangements are by Farrand Funeral Home in White Pigeon.

Thomas G. Black, age 4, died Jan. 3, 2018, in Florida. Graveside services and burial of cremains will held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 24, 2018, at White Pigeon Township Cemetery. Arrangements are by Farrand Funeral Home in White Pigeon.

Hillsdale Academy 66,  Marcellus Howardsville Christian 38

Clarence J. Nowakowski, age 90, of Schoolcraft and formerly of Portage, passed away at home on Sunday, March 18, 2018, with family at his side. Clarence was born in Chicago, Ill., on Jan. 8, 1928, the son of the late Joseph and Jennie (Novak) Nowakowski. He enlisted in the Navy and served our country with honor. After being discharged he …

Audrey Phyllis Truckey, age 78, died on Saturday, March 17, 2018. The family will receive friends from 12:00 noon until time of scripture services beginning at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at Hohner Funeral Home.

Officials have ruled a 16-year-old girl found dead in Kalamazoo was strangled. MLive.com reported Tuesday that Mujey Dumbuya’s cause of death was listed as “asphyxia, including strangulation” on the death certificate. Dumbuya’s partially clothed body was found Jan. 28 in Kalamazoo, about 50 miles from her Grand Rapids home. Her family last saw her alive on Jan. 24 as she headed …

Michigan legislators say veterans affiliated with a private club or fraternal organization should be permitted to drink at whatever location they please. The Senate took a final vote Tuesday to discard a provision in the state’s liquor code that says members of veteran organizations can only purchase alcohol from their local chapter’s club. The bill waves away the constraints at …

Authorities say a firefighter was wounded after a gun that was in his pocket accidentally discharged while he was responding to a grass fire in southern Michigan. Crews from several departments responded Monday afternoon to the fire in woods and fields along I-94 in Calhoun County’s Emmett Township near Battle Creek. Authorities say a firefighter from the nearby community of …

In the past I’ve shared some interesting facts on cucumbers. At this time, I’d like to enlighten you a little bit on maple syrup. Pancakes, waffles and French toast just aren’t the same without it, yet I do know at least one person who enjoys sausage gravy on his pancakes. I’ve never tried it, so who am I to offer …