State Rep. Aaron Miller, following his first meeting as chair of the House Elections and Ethics Committee, said he’s looking forward to working on policy over the next two years that brings even more integrity and efficiency to Michigan’s election system. Miller said elections play a critically important role in ensuring government is chosen by the people, and we should …

St. Joseph County Clerk Lindsay Oswald has forwarded to local media a media release from the Michigan Bureau of Elections. The agency last week released its audit findings for 136 Detroit precincts from the November general election, largely finding that human error, not illegal activity, resulted in mismatches between the number of ballots and recorded voters. Elections staff found no …

A Kalamazoo County Marine Division boat has been renamed in honor of Western Michigan University’s historical football season this year. The Kalamazoo Gazette reports that the naming of “Bronco 1” was part of a ceremony on Tuesday recognizing the accomplishments of the Broncos’ undefeated regular season. The Board of Commissioners passed a resolution to honor the team for demonstration leadership …

If Sunday’s game against the Fort Wayne Komets was any indication, the next two games between these teams could be rather testy, to say the least. The hits and checks plentiful and at times punishing as well as a few fights and some aggressive play and you see why these two teams have been bitter rivals for years. It won’t …

Randy L. VanDosen age 55, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday evening, Feb. 9, 2017, at the Sturgis Hospital emergency room. He was born Feb. 2, 1962, in Sturgis, a son of the late Donald and Mary E. (Bunge) VanDosen. Randy was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1980. He enjoyed fishing, …

Donald J. Hamilton Jr. age 74 of Marcellus, passed away at home on Wednesday, February 8, 2017.           He was born June 19, 1942 in Plainwell, MI the son of Donald J. Sr. and Beatrice (Polamateer) Hamilton. On July 6th, 1963, he married Kathleen M. O’Connell who survives.           He worked for a Pharmaceutical Company as a machine repairman.  He …

A revision to the time St. Joseph County residents can drop off televisions, electronics and computers at Waste Management’s Westside Landfill has been made. According to Pat Kulikowski, secretary of the St. Joseph County Solid Waste Committee, the Three Rivers-area landfill will accept the items on Saturdays only, from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. through 2017. Previously, the site was …

Cash was stolen from a vehicle this week outside a residence in Sherman Township. State police said the incident occurred in the early morning hours Monday in the 67000 block of Thunderbird Drive. The victim said $100 was taken. The victim also stated a family member noticed illumination from a flashlight around 2 a.m. outside the residence.

State Rep. Aaron Miller, who serves as the chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State Police, has issued a statement after Gov. Rick Snyder presented his budget plan to the House and Senate Miller said he appreciates the governor’s input and looks forward to working with him and the Senate to craft an efficient and effective state budget. Miller …

Leon Michael Tokarski, age 89, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Feb. 7th, 2017 at Grace Manor Nursing Home. He was born on April 22, 1927 in Flowerfield Twp., MI., the son of the late John and Barbara (Pierhal) Tokarski. Leon attended Park Township Schools and has been a resident of Three Rivers his entire life. He was …