Spring officially arrived a week ago yesterday, March 20. When it will feel like spring, remains to be seen. One day we are able to wear lighter clothing, then the next day we find ourselves scraping the frost off our car windows. I guess Mother Nature is having difficulty making up her mind, so we’ll just have to wait until …

A Cass County teen was injured in a single-vehicle accident after she reportedly fell asleep at the wheel in Porter Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly after 3 a.m. Sunday to M-40, near Shavehead Lake Road in response to a vehicle that had struck a tree. Deputies said 18-year-old Birdie Murphy, of Union, was traveling south on …

Nearly two dozen community leaders from St. Joseph County took part last week in the 15th annual “March for Meals Community Champions Week.” The five-day campaign concluded Friday. This national promotion is an annual event led by Meals on Wheels America designed to generate public awareness about senior hunger and isolation. More than 400 seniors in St Joseph County are …

The St. Joseph County Conservation District is seeking sponsors and participants for its annual golf outing fundraiser. The scramble will take place with a shotgun start at 9:30 a.m. May 6 at Sauganash Golf Club in Three Rivers. Event organizers said proceeds will go to support the various causes backed by the Centreville-based agency. Those include programs such as salmon …

A presentation about Michigan’s Main Street Program and an overview of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Redevelopment Ready Communities program took place last month before a collection of Sturgis city officials. Leigh Young, Main Street specialist, gave a presentation regarding the Michigan Main Street Program and specialist Emily Petz discussed Redevelopment Ready Communities. Their appearances were arranged by city manager …

A Branch County residence was recently burglarized. State police said a house and outbuildings in the 500 block of Kosmerick Road in Bethel Township were broken into between Feb. 25 and March 24. A department media release indicated a number of items were stolen.

William Thomas “Bill” Fries, age 74, of Vicksburg, died Sunday, March 26, 2017 at his home. He was born in Ft. Wayne, IN on June 21, 1942 the son of Thomas Adolph and Betty Marie (Brennen) Fries. The family moved to Southwest Michigan when he was very young and he attended schools here. Bill had worked at Clarage Fan Co. …

Debra L. Smith, age 56, of Dowagiac, passed away Monday, March 27, 2017 at home. She was born October 10, 1960 in Niles, MI the daughter of Stevins George and Arlene Ann (Lundgren) Brown. On September 26, 1981 in Niles, MI she married Curtis L. Smith who survives. Debra graduated from Niles High School in 1978. She worked 27 years …

William S. McClain, age 82, of Constantine, passed away on Sunday, March 26, 2017 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. He was born November 27, 1934 in White Pigeon, a son of William and Edna Mae (Simpson) McClain Bill attended Constantine Schools with the class of 1954. He served in the United States Army, stationed in Alaska. On October 7, …

St. Joseph County officials last week agreed to pursue a state grant for acquisition of a 54-acre parcel to be managed by the parks and recreation department. Following a public hearing during Tuesday’s commission meeting, the board passed a resolution in support of securing the property in the 60000 block of U.S. 131. Referred to as “the Kettles property,” the …