When the 2016-17 ECHL schedule was released on April 28, the Kalamazoo Wings were set to play their division foes, the Toledo Walleye, Wheeling Nailers and Brampton Beast between 8-10 games each during the season. While the K-Wings will still be playing those teams and all the others per the schedule, the ECHL announced that divisions and conferences have been …

Sen. John Proos is encouraging Southwest Michigan residents to use their library cards to check out Michigan’s great outdoors. “We are blessed to have numerous ways to have fun in our great outdoors, and I encourage Southwest Michigan families to get out this summer and enjoy Michigan’s amazing natural wonders,” said Proos, R-St. Joseph. “Residents with library cards can take …

A man accused of killing five people when he plowed his speeding pickup truck into a group of Michigan bicyclists had taken pain pills and muscle relaxers less than two hours earlier, according to police reports. Charles Pickett Jr., 50, was initially charged with second-degree murder in the June 7 crash in Kalamazoo County. Charges of driving while intoxicated causing …

Mr. Eugene “Gene” Franklin Schull Sr., age 88, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 14, 2016 at the Bowman House. He was born on September 23, 1927 in Lockport Twp. (Three Rivers) MI. the son of the late Leslie and Beatrice (Wagner) Schull. Gene had been a resident of Three Rivers and Colon his entire life. He …

Timothy Reilly, age 55 of Sturgis, passed away late Tuesday morning, July 12, 2016, at his home. He was born Aug. 31, 1960, at Camp Lejeune, N.C., a son of James and Sue (Blakeslee) Reilly Sr. Tim resided in Sturgis for the past 25 years, coming from Detroit. On March 28, 2009, he married his soulmate, Denell Holst, on the beach …

Hi! My name is Cheddar and I am a male tricolor beagle mix. I am about 3-4 years old. You see that smile on my face? That’s because I got a treat every time I had my picture taken. M-m-m-m, I like those treats. I am a little stout, but I like to walk on the leash and could get …

St. Joseph County E-911 Central Dispatch has announced “Text-to-9-1-1” service is now functioning in the county as of this week. Dennis Brandenburg, central dispatch director, said the agency is still stressing the concept: “9-1-1, call if you can, text if you can’t.” He said the “Text-to-9-1-1” concept was introduced to better assist people who have a speech or hearing impairment. …

Four days of activities begin today in Centreville, as the annual Covered Bridge Days community festival begins this evening. Organizers said the event for the first time will feature a kick-off parade, which takes place at 7 o’clock tonight on Main Street. The procession, which previously was a festival-ending event, will feature the village’s citizens of the year: John and …

Preparations are underway in many homes, organizations and businesses across U.S. 12 for Michigan’s Longest Garage Sale, an annual event taking place August 12, 13 and 14. Kristopher Martin, project coordinator for the event, said prospective participants interested in hosting a garage sale are encouraged to register their sale for free on the new U.S. 12 Heritage Trail website: us12heritagetrail.org. …

Discussion regarding the concept of a dog park in the city of Sturgis continued this week, as the city’s parks and cemetery board reviewed pros and cons of a committee’s findings. After municipal leaders agreed to the idea, the conclusions of the committee charged with establishing the location highlighted Tuesday’s agenda. The committee has already suggested Old Depot Park as …