Last week’s annual Youth for Christ fundraising auction drew hundreds of bidders to at least a thousand items — all donated by local businesses and individuals. This year, the auction surpassed YFC’s goal coming in at more than $40,000 in proceeds. Ken Mills, executive director of YFC/Campus Life Southwest Michigan, said it was the second-highest auction in 20 years. The …

In response to the needs of business and industry across the state, Michigan Works! Southwest is excited to announce the availability of training dollars to assist businesses in expanding their pool of skilled workers. $27.6 million in funding is available to employers in Michigan through the 2018 State of Michigan Skilled Trades Training Fund (STTF). STTF provides funding to employers …

Authorities say around 25,000 people took part in the annual Labor Day walk across the Mackinac Bridge during which all traffic was halted for the first time as a security precaution. The Mackinac Bridge Authority says the number of participants Monday was on the lower end. Its website says between 30,000 and 60,000 people typically take part. There were no …

Ella W. Labram, age 86, of Mendon, died on Sunday, Sep. 3, 2017 at Bronson Commons in Mattawan following a brief illness. She was born in Chicago on Jan. 6, 1931 the daughter of Henry J. and Nielsigne (Rassmussen) Jepsen. The family moved to Mendon in 1939, and Ella graduated from Mendon High School with the class of 1948. She …

If you’re a hunter who shoots deer or related animals in other states, be advised that there are new rules about bringing their parts into Michigan. The tougher regulations are intended to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease among Michigan’s deer, elk, and moose. The illness attacks the central nervous system of animals in the deer family and can eventually kill …

The Three Rivers Public Library Board has agreed to follow through on the purchase of the Southern Michigan Bank and Trust building. Board members said the building purchase price is $350,000. Additional funds will have to be allocated from its $1.2 million budget for first-floor renovations and improvements elsewhere in the building. The board has authorized Arkos Design of Mishawaka …

Members of the Centreville Village Council have accepted a bid for the sale of timber. Indiana Wood Products’ bid of nearly $52,000 was accepted for trees on village property behind the St. Joseph County Fairgrounds. The selective harvest will include mature trees, as well as trees that have been blown over, trees declining in health, poorly formed trees and low-value …

Two Cass County residents were arrested on drug-related offenses last week in the community of Vandalia. According to a department media release, the Cass County Drug Enforcement Team served a search warrant Thursday in the 16000 block of Hodgson Street. While searching the residence, detectives located various pieces of paraphernalia for the use of methamphetamine. During the investigation, a-30-year-old male …

Mary E. Walker, age 90, of Marcellus, passed away Friday, September 1, 2017 at home. She was born March 23, 1927 in Plainwell, MI the daughter of William Earl and Anna Louise (Metzger) Speicher.  On May 5, 1964 she married Tony R. Walker who preceded her in death in 1997. Mary enjoyed going to the casinos, playing bingo and cards.  She was set in …

Kelly Eugene Olson, age 58, of Schoolcraft, died peacefully at his home on Friday, Aug. 25, 2017. He was born in Longmont, Colorado on Nov. 4, 1958 the son of Edward E. and Anna Marie (Brady) Olson. He graduated from Rush City, Minnesota High School in 1977 and soon after moved to Michigan. He has resided in Schoolcraft for the …