Two vehicles at the South Kalamazoo County Fire Authority were damaged while parked in the agency’s garage this week. Chief Bryan Campbell said police were called shortly after 11 p.m. to the corner of Grand and Eliza streets, where a 59-year-old Grand Rapids man had repeatedly run his vehicle into the bay doors of the fire station, damaging the doors …

Michigan has approved a 30-day grace period for displaying a license plate on vehicles. Gov. Rick Snyder signed the bill Wednesday, affording Michiganders 30 days from the time of vehicle registration or renewal to display a registration plate while driving. During the 30-day buffer, drivers are instead required to present paper or electronic verification through the Law Enforcement Information Network …

Ricky Gene Smithers, age 58, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully in his home on Monday, March 12, 2018 surrounded by his loving family. He was born on March 14, 1959 in Coalinga, California the son of William and Hazel (Travis) Smithers. In June of 21, 2002 he was united in holy matrimony to Jenni Davis. He was employed by …

Dora Mae Gaylor, age 77, passed away surrounded by loved ones at her side on Friday, March 9, 2018 after a long battle with cancer. Dora was born on September 25, 1940 of Harbor Springs, MI.  She married John Gaylor, on October 22, 1960 of Fibre, MI. Dora enjoyed knitting, crocheting, reading, and eating Chinese food.  She always had a smile on …

Ray Miles Stevens, age 87, of Nottawa, died on Monday, March 12, 2018 at Heartland Health Care Center in Three Rivers. Ray was born November 16, 1930 in Eckford Township, MI, a son of Roscoe C. and Bernice L. (Holt) Stevens. He attended the Arch Workshop for many years and enjoyed making crochet rugs, attending the St. Joseph County Fair, …

St. Joseph County is one of 17 counties in the state to be declared a disaster area as the result of flooding from heavy rain and melting snow. Gov. Rick Snyder’s office said Monday’s declarations make state resources available to those areas, including grants of up to $100,000 for reimbursement of local response costs to the flooding, which peaked over …

A Sturgis man was arrested on drug-related charges following a traffic stop earlier this week in Sturgis. According to officers, the suspect’s vehicle was pulled over shortly after 2 a.m. Tuesday on South Nottawa Street at Bogen Road following a traffic violation. According to a department media release, the officer in charge of the stop became suspicious of drug activity …

Sheriff’s deputies were called last week to a two-vehicle accident in Burr Oak Township. The incident occurred shortly before 9:30 p.m. Friday at the intersection of M-66 and Findley Road. Investigators said a vehicle driven by Sturgis-area resident Shirley Schrock was heading north on M-66 and turned left onto Findley Road, into the path of a southbound vehicle driven by …

The Kalamazoo Wings (29-26-4-2) are currently in the playoff picture, but they aren’t doing much to secure their spot after a 5-3 loss to the Brampton Beast  (24-28-6-4) in a rare Tuesday night game at Wings Event Center. The K-Wings are currently tied with the Kansas City Mavericks for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Central Division.  The …

By now your clocks should have been reset one hour ahead. Last Sunday was the day when we switched to Daylight Savings Time. No one has ever given me a good reason why we still do this. Maybe it takes an act of Congress to make it happen. Good luck with that. They are way too busy. St. Patty’s day …