A ballot committee proposing to legalize the use of marijuana for recreational purposes in Michigan has submitted more than 360,000 voter signatures in a bid for a statewide vote in 2018. The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol turned in the signatures to state election officials in Lansing on Monday. Michigan already allows for the use of marijuana for medical …

The annual Mackinac Bridge Walk will remain a Labor Day tradition. The Mackinac Bridge Authority says the date won’t change. But officials still haven’t determined details about how the 5-mile walk will take place. With terrorists increasingly using cars and trucks as weapons, the bridge was closed to most vehicles during this year’s walk. Only about 25,000 people took part. …

Republican Rep. Fred Upton of Michigan has ruled out running for U.S. Senate next year. Upton, of St. Joseph, has held southwestern Michigan’s congressional seat for 30 years. He said Friday there was “a path” to running, but he has chosen “not to follow it.” He instead will seek re-election to the House, saying “we need focus and fortitude in …

Sara Jean Moyer, 84, Centreville, died  on Sunday, November 19, 2017 in Portage. She was born on June 3, 1933 in Sturgis, a daughter of LeRoy and Wava (Miller) Evarts. Jean graduated from Centreville High School in 1951 and received her Bachelors and Masters in Education from WMU. She married Bruce Jones and later divorced. On July 27, 1985, Jean …

A Middlebury man was injured in a hit-and-run accident last week in Cass County. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 11:20 p.m. Friday to M-217, near Wayne Street. Investigators said 57-year-old Dale Shrock was driving north on M-217 when another vehicle collided with the car Shrock was driving. Shrock told deputies the driver of the other car left …

St. Joseph County’s lone representative in the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s football playoff bowed out in a Division 8 contest Saturday in Howell. Mendon fell to Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 50-21 in a state semi-final matchup. The Bobcats coasted to a 36-7 halftime lead and never looked back. Both teams entered the wet and windy contest with 12-0 records. Whiteford …

The U.S. Land Office in White Pigeon was the recent recipient of a donation from Sturgis Bank & Trust Company for continued restoration of the facility. In recognition of that effort, bank officials presented a $5,000 check to members of the St. Joseph County Historical Society. Trudy Gloy, White Pigeon branch manager, said the bank supports communities when it can …

Patricia Phelps, age 58, of Mendon, passed away at home on Friday, November 17, 2017, surrounded by family after a lengthy battle with cancer. She was born in Sturgis, the daughter of the late Phillip and Linda (Wilber) Zinsmaster. Pat had a great personality and loved life. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends and leaves them with …

Whiteford 50,  Mendon 21 Edwardsburg 32,  River Rouge 21

James “Jimmy” Souers Brundirks, age 39, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Nov. 15th, 2017, at Henry Ford Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on August 15, 1978, in Kalamazoo, son of James E. Brundirks and Nancy (Souers) Pick. Jimmy attended Immaculate Conception Catholic School for his elementary education and went on to graduate from …