Betty Jean Weagley, age 86, Constantine, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, December 26, 2017, at Borgess Medical Center, Kalamazoo. She was born January 6, 1931 in Constantine, daughter of Russell and Edna (Kindig) Mallo. Betty graduated from Constantine High School in 1948 and Kalamazoo Beauty School in 1949. She owned and operated Betty’s Beauty Shoppe since 1962. On …

Milton “George” Miner, age 81, of Ashland, Ohio, died Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017, at Brethren Care Village in Ashland. He was born March 31, 1936, in Grand Rapids, a son of Milton Clare and Leta Shields Miner. He was an engineer in both Michigan and Pennsylvania. Upon moving to Ohio, he was a co-owner of M&M Sales with his Uncle …

Cass County Prosecutor’s Office has charged a former Marcellus village employee with embezzlement. According to county officials, 48-year-old Krista Jourdan was charged with three offenses: embezzlement by agent of $1,000 to $20,000; embezzlement by agent of $200 to $1,000; and embezzlement of more than $50 by a public official. According to the prosecutor’s office, at least two of the charges …

A Constantine woman was the winner of a $1 million prize awarded last week by representatives from Publishers Clearinghouse. A Facebook video (Link:  https://www.facebook.com/pch/videos/10155897303895786/) posted Friday shows the so-called “Prize Patrol,” a two-man team from Publishers Clearinghouse, tracking down Betty Patchett at her work. Patchett is an employee with Constantine Public Schools’ transportation department. A skeptical Patchett was left speechless after …

Sturgis city staff brought a draft medical marijuana ordinance to last week’s city commission meeting for discussion and questions. The ordinance and zoning amendments will go to the planning commission for a public hearing and recommendation to the city commission Jan. 16. The ordinance would allow all five types of facilities – growers, processors, secure transporters, provisioning centers and safety-compliance facilities – …

A retired Constantine High School teacher hoping to raise about $30 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation more than exceeded her goal thanks to a current Centreville Elementary School teacher. Former English teacher Mary Grunert said she lucked out when she asked former student Lisa Dentler for help with the “Letters To Santa” project, sponsored by Macy’s. Dentler, is a sixth-grade teacher …

State Rep. Aaron Miller last week commended strides made by the Michigan Legislature in the first year of his second term serving residents of St. Joseph and Cass counties. Miller, who chairs the House Committee on Election and Ethics, serves on the Appropriations Committee, where he is a member of four subcommittees. Miller also chairs the Appropriations Subcommittee on Michigan …

A dog attack in a southwestern Michigan home has left a toddler critically injured. Police in Kalamazoo say the child was dropped off at the home and was being watched by a family friend when the attack occurred. The dog belonged to the family friend. Police were called to the home at about 3:30 a.m. Saturday. The child was being …

A Constantine man died after the vehicle he was driving crashed into a tree over the weekend in Constantine Township. State police said the 49-year-old victim was driving a 2003 Chevy Malibu around 4:15 p.m. Saturday. The driver lost control of the car on Youngs Prairie Road near New England Road. Investigators said the incident occurred as the Malibu was …

Bert C. Shirk Sr., age 55, of Three Rivers, died on Saturday, December 23, 2017 at his home. He was born January 26, 1962 in Three Rivers, a son of Orville and Irene (Palmer) Shirk Sr.  Bert served in the Michigan Army National Guard, SPT Co 1 BN 246 Armor, Three Rivers, as 19D10 Scout from Nov. 1979 to 1985. …