Troopers from the Michigan State Police are investigating the larceny of farm equipment from a location in Park Township. The incident took place at Greenmark Equipment on Heimbach Road between noon Saturday and 5:30 a.m. Tuesday. Details about what was taken were not included in a department media release.

The first school bell rang on Tuesday for most students in the area. There were first-day jitters for both students, parents, and yes, even teachers, as they all embark on another school year. Some students entered school for the first time or for the last, moving on to a new grade in a new school, leaving elementary behind for middle school, or …

Battle Creek city commissioners have approved ordinances aimed at regulating panhandling and loitering. The proposals outlaw remaining “idly” within 25 feet of an intersection and soliciting money from anyone waiting in line or near building entrances. The Battle Creek Enquirer reports commissioners voted Tuesday on the proposals, which take effect in 10 days. Violations would be considered civil infractions and …

The state of Michigan has sued a local apparel company, alleging it violated state and federal law by trademarking the M-22 highway symbol. MLive reports that the state’s legal action is in response to M22 LLC’s creation of items that display the sign of the popular and scenic Northern Michigan highway. The state says the law doesn’t allow registration of …

Robert W. Roach, age 75, of Colon, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016, at Three Rivers Health. Bob was born Jan. 29, 1941, in Sturgis, a son of William J. and Mary B. (McLatcher) Roach. He had lived all his life in the Sherwood and Colon area, graduating from Colon High School with the class of 1959. In 1974, Bob …

Leslie Clyde “Droopy” Schrader Jr., age 55, of Kalamazoo, and a former longtime Colon resident, passed away Tuesday morning, Sept. 6, 2016, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born July 2, 1961, in Sturgis, a son of Leslie and Kathie (Shear) Schrader. Les resided in Kalamazoo for the past six months. The rest of his life was spent …

Marian Laurene Kipker, age 83, of Three Rivers was carried home by Angels on Saturday, September 3, 2016 at Rose Arbor Hospice Residence. She was born November 4, 1932 in Marcellus, MI the daughter of the late Willard J. and Gleeola (Bent) Griner. Marian was a graduate of Marcellus High School and was united in marriage to James Kipker on …

A 42-year-old Sturgis woman was arrested over the weekend on a variety of charges and a pair of outstanding warrants. Sturgis police said the woman and an accomplice were on bicycles and stopped around 10:20 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of Ulm and Sturgis streets for not having lighting on their bicycles. The woman fled from police as officers were …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department arrested a Sturgis man last week on a drug-related offense in Burr Oak Township. Deputies made a traffic stop at 9 p.m. Friday on Middle Colon Road, near Burrwood Drive, after the 30-year-old suspect’s vehicle was found to have an equipment violation. A search of the vehicle found an undisclosed quantity of methamphetamine hidden …

A Three Rivers resident was charged earlier this week with possession of methamphetamine following a traffic stop in Fabius Township. According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, a vehicle was stopped shortly before 5 a.m. Sunday on U.S. 131 near Millard Road after deputies noticed an equipment violation on the vehicle. As they were initiating the traffic stop, deputies …