In a county-wide effort to encourage a more welcoming community in which to live and work, chambers of commerce in Three Rivers and Sturgis joined in 2017 to create and promote the “St. Joseph County Statement on Civility.” The statement is a document that organizations, boards of directors and committees can adopt to facilitate respectful communications and allow their meetings …

The Kalamazoo Wings (14-11-2-1) got the New Year’s festivities started early on Sunday afternoon as they sent 2017 and the Quad City Mallards (8-19-2-1) off with a bang. The K-Wings set an offensive tone early in the game in route to a 6-1 win over the Mallards. With many of the 3,840 fans just getting settled into their seats, J.T. …

The opening of a new Commission On Aging headquarters with senior housing tops the county’s highlights in 2018, according to its board chairman. Commission chair Allen Balog said there’s plenty of good to look forward to in 2018, but personally he is most excited about a plan by COA director Tim Stoll to convert the former Three Rivers Inn into …

A Cassopolis woman was injured in a one-vehicle, rollover accident last week in Cass County’s Jefferson Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 1 p.m. Dec. 24 to Dailey Road, south of Jefferson Center Street. Behnke said Nicole Miller, 23, was driving south on Dailey Road when she lost control of the vehicle she was driving. Her car went …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners was on the receiving end of compliments for its commitment to its parks and recreation department. During the “Citizens Comments” portion of the Dec. 19 county commission meeting, a half dozen people approached the podium and complimented the board for a job well done in 2017. The praise came in contrast to the …

Centreville Village Council members recently responded to a letter from Nottawa Township regarding a variety of issues. The communication from Nottawa Township asked the village to help pay for ambulance service, take care of the maintenance on the Pioneer Cemetery and increase the rent payment for the village offices. The council declined in all cases. Its members said taxes it already …

Judy Ann Russell, age 67, of Vicksburg, died Friday, Dec. 29, 2017 at Kairos Dwelling in Kalamazoo following a long illness. She was born in Kalamazoo on July 30, 1950 the daughter of Lyle V. and Ethelin G. (McLaughlin) Coburn and was a lifetime resident of the Vicksburg/Scotts area. She graduated from Galesburg-Augusta High School, and worked briefly at Brown …

Barry W. Cheeks, age 64, of Constantine, died at 5:30 pm on Thursday, December 28, 2017 at Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation Community in Centreville.  He was born on May 14, 1953 in Welch, WV, to Charlie M. and Ethel Mae (Robinson) Cheeks. Survivors include his son, Earl Cheeks of Constantine; two grandchildren and several brothers. He was preceded in death …

Blanca Weaver, age 72, of White Pigeon, passed away at her home on Wednesday, December 27, 2017. She was born in Germany on January 22, 1945 to her late parents Gustav and Hella (Nuemer) Conradi. On March 6, 1963 she married Larry Weaver of Mishawaka. He preceded her in death January 15, 1987. You would always see her in the …

Two people were injured in a snowmobiling accident Wednesday night in Porter Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke’s office reported the incident happened after 8 p.m. on M-217 north of Wayne Street. Eric Black, 42, of Union, was reportedly northbound in a field east of M-217 when he lost control of his snowmobile, which resulted in him being thrown off and caused …