A Pennsylvania police department says a black cat was lucky for one of its officers tracking down a fugitive. The Ephrata Police Department posted on its Facebook page that officers were searching for Jonathan Michael Steffy last month over an outstanding bench warrant. They found the 23-year-old in a backyard but he fled. As they searched the area, one officer …

The Constantine Village Council voted Monday to disallow urban chickens to be raised inside the village limits. At several earlier meetings, council members discussed an ordinance allowing urban chickens, following a June 20 discussion with residents Charlie and Beth Cauffman, who approached the board with a request to keep up to six chickens in their yard. At a council meeting …

Market Strategies International named Indiana Michigan Power a 2016 Utility Customer Champion for its strong relationship with residential customers. I&M, an operating unit of American Electric Power, was one of just three Midwest electric only utilities to receive the honor. “We are happy to designate Indiana Michigan Power as a 2016 Customer Champion.  Their customers have said they have strong …

Michigan’s presidential recount was halted Wednesday after three days, assuring Republican Donald Trump’s victory in the state, when a federal judge said he’ll abide by a court ruling that found the Green Party candidate Jill Stein couldn’t seek another look at the vote. Meanwhile, the fate of Stein’s request for a recount in Pennsylvania must wait at least until a …

Rebecca “Becky” Yoder, 60, of Constantine, died at 8:55 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, at her home. She was born Nov. 24, 1956, in Sturgis, to Frank and Bev (Musser) Lutz. On Jan. 27, 1974, in White Pigeon, she married Rich Yoder. He survives. Survivors in addition to her husband are a son, Nick (Ashley) Yoder of Constantine; a grandson, Robert …

Vickie Lynn Anable, age 63, of Three Rivers, died Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. She was born in Sparta, WI on Sep. 17, 1953 the daughter of Spencer Odell and Patricia Louise (Shields) Trones. She moved from Wisconsin to Michigan in 1991. Vickie was a loving wife and mother who enjoyed spending time with her …

St. Joseph County Clerk Lindsay Oswald said she and a team of more than two dozen people will head to Dowagiac this morning to begin what she hopes is a one-day task of recounting presidential ballots. Oswald, who is completing her first full calendar year as St. Joseph County clerk, said the recount of 23,967 presidential ballots cast in the …

The contracts of three county employees were renewed for another year Tuesday. County administrator Pat Yoder, human resources director Teresa Doehring and finance director Joni Smith will receive 2 percent pay raises in 2017, when their respective 12-month contracts take effect Jan. 1. The three have operated on one-year contracts since beginning their employment with the county. Yoder, who joined …

Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce officials said someone claiming to be from Universal Associates is calling local businesses, stating they are creating maps for the chamber and that the chamber will be distributing the maps. The chamber is not affiliated with the company and has not contracted with anyone for such a purpose. Chamber officials said they suspect its name …

Troopers from the Michigan State Police White Pigeon attachment collected non-perishable food items, toys and clothing for St. Joseph County residents this past weekend for the eighth consecutive year. “Stuff A Blue Goose,” the name given to the annual drive, took place outside the Sturgis and Three Rivers Walmart stores. The event took place at the Coldwater Walmart, too. In …