A matter related to citizen comments at St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners meetings was at the center of a reaction expressed by commissioner Dan Czajkowski earlier this month. Constantine resident Rebecca Shank has persistently asked commissioners to restore the “citizen comment” option toward the end of the board’s twice-a-month meetings. The second opportunity was removed from the board’s meeting …

Twelve people have been reappointed to the St. Joseph County Community Corrections Advisory Board. During their Jan. 16 meeting, members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners approved one-year terms for judges Jeff Middleton, David Tomlinson, Rob Pattison and Paul Stutesman; Anthony Callaway, representing Day Reporting Center; prosecutor John McDonough; Lisa Martin, from the Michigan Department of Corrections; district …

A Kalamazoo Michigan man who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the 2013 beating death of his elderly neighbor has been sentenced to 15-20 years in prison. The punishment handed down Monday for 45-year-old Todd Maneke followed a plea agreement last month. Alfred Minka was found dead in August 2013 at his Kalamazoo apartment. Maneke was charged three years later. …

Thomas Woodrow Brothers, Sr. passed away peacefully in his sleep at his beloved home on Sand Lake, surrounded by cherished friends and family on Friday, January 26, 2018. He was 74 years old and lived a full and interesting life of adventure and joy with people he loved dearly. Born on January 10, 1944 in Sturgis to Ishmael C. & …

Jerald H. Bultman, age 77, of Dowagiac, passed away on Sunday, January 28, 2018. He was born January 26, 1941 in Niles, MI, the son of Henry Herman and Alice Lucille (Weaver) Bultman.  On August 27, 1960 in Mishawaka,   he married Julie M. Shepard who survives. He was a member of the Marcellus V.F.W. Post 4054 and the American Legion.  …

Betty Jane DeHuff, age 85, of South Haven, died Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. She was born in Mendon on Feb. 14, 1932 the daughter of Allen J. and Cora M. (Thomas) Carlisle. Betty was married to Gilbert Duane DeHuff on July 29, 1950 in Centreville and they resided in Three Rivers until Gilbert’s death on Dec. 10, 2005. Betty was …

Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners earlier this month fulfilled their annual financial commitment to a pair of dependent agencies. During the board’s Jan. 16 meeting, it authorized an appropriation of more than $250,000 to Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of St. Joseph County. The budgeted funds will be distributed through quarterly transfers by the …

Troopers from Michigan State Police are looking into the theft of a car last week from a business in Mottville Township. Investigators said they were notified at 10:05 p.m. Wednesday about a car taken from the Marathon gas station in the 11000 block of U.S. 12. The victim told authorities she was inside the station paying the cashier and her …

The St. Joseph County Commission on Aging recently received a $750 donation from Farmers State Bank in Sturgis.  The money was raised by the employees at the bank. The donation will go toward benefiting COA members and the activities and other programs in which they participate. On Wednesday, January 24, representatives from the bank presented the check to the COA …

The second annual Trivia Night, organized by the St. Joseph County United Way, drew a full house at nearly 150 people Saturday. The $30-per-person cost, 50/50 ticket sales and proceeds from a silent auction all went to the Five Star Pizza Adoption Fund. In all, more than $5,000 was raised. Carl Thornton, owner of Five Star Pizza in Colon, said …