James L. Bedell, age 72, of Klinger Lake, died Friday, May 20, 2016 at his home following a battle with cancer. He was born October 9, 1943 in Durand, MI a son of LaVerne and Almehda (VanAuken) Bedell. Jim graduated from Saginaw Arthur Hill High School in 1961. He served in the US Navy from 1961 – 1963.  On February 4, …

Here are some important highlights from the MSU Extension field crops team this week. IPM BREAKFASTS Crop updates and IPM information shared at the meeting have been incorporated into the SW MI Regional Update – see the link below. The field crops team update from the meeting is attached which also highlights several issues. This week’s meeting featured MSU weeds …

A man charged with killing six strangers in between picking up riders for Uber will go to trial, a Michigan judge said Friday after listening to a dozen witnesses, including a survivor of the random shootings who said it’s his face she sees in her sleep each night. Jason Dalton is charged with murder and attempted murder. He’s accused of …

Alva Bontrager, 82, of Centreville, died Thursday, May 19, 2016, at his home. Mr. Bontrager was born March 21, 1934, in St. Joseph County, to William N. and Lydia Ann (Miller) Bontrager. Living his lifetime in St. Joseph County and LaGrange County, Ind., he was a member of the Old Order Amish Church. He was a farmer for many years. …

A team of mountain-bike enthusiasts has agreed to help develop a 10-mile route at Meyer Broadway Park in Fabius Township. Parks and recreation director Jaymes MacDonald told members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners Tuesday he made contact last fall with Augusta-based Southwest Chapter of the Michigan Mountain Biking Association about the concept. After a site visit with …

Burr Oak’s plan to outsource its police protection was completed Tuesday, when members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners approved an agreement with the village. Less than a week after village officials staged a special meeting to dissolve its department and accept the sheriff’s department proposal, the issue was put in motion with the county commission’s endorsement. The …

State Rep. Aaron Miller has announced the date, times and locations of in-district office hours. Miller will be on hand Monday to meet with constituents 6:30 to 8 a.m. at Dawn and Phil’s Café in Colon, and 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Yoder’s Country Market in Centreville. Miller said listening to the concerns and ideas of people in the district …

A St. Joseph County United Way fundraiser takes place this weekend at Colon High School. The third annual 5K Color Fun Run will be staged to benefit the Five Star Pizza Adoption Fund. Registration is $35 per person and the race begins at 10 a.m. Saturday. The run is an all-ages event and concludes at Legend Dairy. Registration can be …

The Three Rivers golf team completed the Wolverine conference season with a strong showing in the conference tournament hosted by Dowagiac at Hampshire CC. The team shot a season best team total of 356 in the 18-hole tournament. good for 8th place on the day and T8 for the season. The final totals were as follows: School                         Season Otsego 313                        …

A Battle Creek-area prosecutor is dropping charges after the Michigan Supreme Court said a woman convicted of sexual abuse is entitled to a new trial. Lorinda Swain, who served nearly eight years in prison, says the results are “unbelievable.” Calhoun County prosecutor David Gilbert says the investigator has died and the alleged victim has recanted the allegations from the 1990s. …