KALAMAZOO, MI – Defenseman Ben Wilson, who was named the K-Wings Defenseman of the Year last season, has signed to return to the team for the 2016-17 season. Last season, Wilson played in 54 games where he had 7 assists and 76 minutes in penalties and a +3. Returning for his fourth season, Wilson said he keeps coming back because …

From time to time someone will post a status to their Facebook page that asks people to read, comment, share or post as their own status to help “spread the word” about a topic, cause or some event. The most recent one that has popped up within the last week reads: “With school starting I thought it would be nice …

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners this week approved accepting a grant on behalf of the sheriff’s department to fund secondary road patrol. County administrator Pat Yoder said the grant, in excess of $185,000, is awarded through the state police agency’s office of Highway Safety Planning. It covers the cost of two deputies dedicated to patrolling the county’s secondary roads …

Four people were reappointed to the St. Joseph County Solid Waste Management Planning Committee this week. Commissioners on Tuesday renewed the terms of Eric Shafer and Aaron Cuillifer, representing industry; Lee Zimmerman, representing environmental; Robert Robinson, representing the general public; and John Dobberteen, representing municipalities. Their terms are for two years, expiring Sept. 1, 2018.

Deputies from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department responded to Colon Township last weekend to a criminal-damage-to-property incident. According to a department media release, deputies were called shortly before 3 a.m. Saturday to the 56000 block of Sewanee Trail. The victim said several windows were damaged at their residence. The victim told authorities it appears the suspect fled the scene …

One of two men pursued on high-speed motorcycles was apprehended by police last weekend. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said two motorcyclists were observed driving in excess of 120 miles per hour southbound on M-66 at Jacksonburg Road in Leonidas Township around 9:30 p.m. Saturday. A deputy caught up to the motorcycles at M-86 toward Colon. The pursuit continued …

Downtown-improvement projects in Constantine and Sturgis got a boost Tuesday, as both received $100,000 from the county’s board of commissioners. The two municipalities were issued the grants from a special DDA fund the county set up a few years ago to support local economic-development projects. County administrator Pat Yoder said the projects were scrutinized and deemed eligible for the funds. …

Margaret “Muggs” Davenport, age 80, of Centreville, passed away Thursday, August 18, 2016, at Riverview Manor Nursing Home.  She was born in Three Rivers on October 22, 1935, a daughter of Raymond and Helen (Burrow) Watkins.  Muggs graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1953.  On December 4, 1953, she married James Davenport in Centreville.  He preceded her in death …

Verlan G. Miller, age 76, of Colon, passed away Monday, Aug. 15, 2016, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, after a 23-year battle with cancer. Verlan was born Nov. 14, 1939, in Burr Oak, a son of the late W. Glenn and Pearl I. (Ultz) Miller. He had lived all his life in the Burr Oak and Colon area, graduating …

I am so cute, and quiet, and very sweet. Just call me “Willow”. The ladies here say I am about 7 years old. I am a tri-color beagle. One of the deputies picked me up, I had an injury but the local veterinarian treated me and I am doing well. My Docket number is B1516-000155 at the St. Joseph County …