David Vago, who was offered the job of executive director of the Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority/Michigan Main Street, informed officials he will accept the post. Currently a California resident, Vago will begin the job June 6. Vago is a farm technician at East Bay Regional Park District in Oakland. He will be paid a $42,000 annual salary for the …

New herbicide-tolerant crops that will expand the weed control options for soybeans have been developed. However, they are not ready for the 2016 season. The integrated pest management (IPM) Breakfast Series is organized by the MSU Extension field crops team in southwest Michigan. The meeting series runs through the end of June and is held on Tuesdays at the Royal …

The autopsy has been completed, following what police had originally labeled as a suspicious death. Police chief Mark Honeysett said no foul play is suspected in the death of 53-year-old Thomas Astling. He apparently died early this week at his home in the Whispering Pines Mobile Home park on South Washington Street. His body was discovered Wednesday afternoon.

A Sturgis woman has died as the result of a car-pedestrian accident Wednesday evening at the intersection of South Centreville and Fawn River Roads. The victim was identified as 20-year-old Michal Webb. She was reportedly walking her dog when she was struck by the car, which was driven by a 25-year-old female from Howe, Indiana. The dog was killed in the …

The first of what organizers hope is an annual fundraiser for the county’s Animal Control agency takes place 6 to 10 p.m. Friday at the Sturgis Elks. It is being hosted by the St. Joseph County Animal Control Advisory Board. Emily Frohriep, chair of the nine-member panel, said the outpouring of support from the business community has helped make it …

Three Rivers Public Library is appealing to individuals and business for support of its annual summer reading program. Young adult librarian Elizabeth Rasberry and children’s librarian Caryn Wilson said this year’s theme is “On your mark, get set, read!” Donations made to the program allow Rasberry and Wilson to purchase materials needed toward its success. Items they wish to secure …

Christina Bainbridge has been named principal at Eastside Elementary School in Constantine, and Darrin Vandenberg will serve as principal at Riverside Elementary School. Their appointments, which are in effect next month, were made Monday by members of the Constantine Public Schools Board of Education. Bainbridge succeeds Jessica Barth, who will become the district’s athletic director at the end of the …

Klinger Lake resident Paul Watters, a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, joined state Rep. Aaron Miller on the House floor Tuesday to mark the 71st anniversary of the allied victory in Europe over the Axis forces. VE Day occurred May 8, 1945, when Germany surrendered. Watters served in the Pacific Theatre of Operations during the war and was …

A mother bear that mauled a northern Michigan girl as she jogged along a woodsy path nearly three years ago has been killed after mortally wounding a pet dog that apparently was chasing one of her cubs, state officials said Wednesday. The bear was shot in a rural township near Cadillac, about 2 miles from where Abby Wetherell was attacked …

Leah L. Decker, age 92, of Bremen, Ind., and formerly of Colon, Mich., passed away Tuesday, May 10, 2016, in Bremen. Leah was born Jan. 24, 1924, in Marion, Ind., a daughter of the late Franklin & Grace P. (Kessler) Cotton. Her early years were spent in Marion. She later moved to Michigan and graduated in 1942 from Lansing High …