The second Meijer store in St. Joseph County opened last week, as the Grand Rapids-based company staged a ceremonial ribbon cutting in Sturgis. A number of local dignitaries and Meijer corporate representatives were on hand Thursday to commemorate the occasion. The 192,000-square-foot supercenter is located at South Centerville Road and West South Street. Store director Marsha Keefer opened the event …

State Rep. Aaron Miller issued a statement after the House last week approved reforms for Detroit Public Schools: Miller said Detroit finally provided solid figures on what was needed to reform the failing school district. Miller said legislators allocated exactly what was needed to provide start-up funding for the new district and make emergency repairs on school buildings. Inaction would …

St. Joseph County Treasurer Judie Ratering in 2015 collected more than $33 million from local treasurers. The figure was one of many Ratering provided during a recent county commission meeting. Ratering said the funds were disbursed twice each month to the taxing entities. In addition, her office has recently settled with all townships and cities, and is prepared to pay …

A former police chief in Constantine who previously worked for the Michigan State Police was laid to rest last week amid full police honors. Police representatives from Centreville, Colon, Constantine, Mendon, Portage and surrounding areas joined lawyers, judges and other public officials to pay homage to Det. Sgt. Jim Bedell at Trinity Missionary Church in Constantine. Rev. Dennis Smith, pastor …

Authorities in southern Michigan are investigating the shooting deaths of a Calhoun County Sheriff’s deputy and his wife. The bodies were found in Emmett Township, southwest of Battle Creek, about 7:50 a.m. Sunday. Emmett Township Police Chief Mike Olson tells the Battle Creek Enquirer the bodies of a man and a woman were found in the back yard of a …

Here are some important highlights from the MSU Extension field crops team this week. IPM BREAKFASTS · Many wheat fields are very dry, probably should have been watered before the boot stage to fill the soil profile—some fields need as much as 4” of water in the profile—but now is not an ideal time to water in order to avoid …

Doris Ellen Brady, age 91, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully early morning Saturday, June 04, 2016 with her family at her side. She was born August 15, 1924 in St. Louis, MO., the daughter of the late Charles and Margaret (Herwig) Tabor. Mrs. Brady has been a resident of Three Rivers since 1944. She was employed for over twenty …

H. Rosemary Johnson, age 81, of Three Rivers, died Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation in Centreville. She was born in White Pigeon on Aug. 4, 1934 the daughter of Frank and Bonnie (Steele) Schultz. She was married to William T. Johnson in LaGrange, IN on Nov. 27, 1951, and has resided near Three Rivers since 1958. …

William Ray “Bill” Coomer, age 72, of Mendon, died Friday, May 3, 2016 at his home following a long illness. He was born in Paulding, Ohio on Sep. 20, 1943 the son of Robert L. and Wilma (Davis) Coomer. Bill graduated from Centreville High School in 1961 and later attended Kellogg Community College. He was a life-long farmer, and sponsor …

Several garages and vehicles were entered and items stolen between evening hours Wednesday and early morning Thursday in Park Township. State police said numerous calls were fielded regarding the breaking-and-entering incidents. They occurred on the north end of Fishers Lake in the vicinity of Thompson Lane. Unlocked garages and vehicles were entered and a variety of valuables taken. State police …