High school students in southwestern Michigan have taken top honors statewide for the school’s campaign to stop distracted driving and boost seat belt use. The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning says Thursday that students at Sturgis High School were recognized for their efforts to educate classmates. The “Strive For a Safer Drive” campaign is presented by the safety office …

Jerry J. Lintz, age 52, of Mottville, died on Thursday, May 5, 2016 at Borgess Medical Center Kalamazoo. He was born August 27, 1963 in Three Rivers a son of John D. and Nancy (Stuckum) Lintz. He graduated from Constantine High School in 1981. Jerry worked at Interstate Manufacturing in Mottville for the past 7 years and previously at Coachman Industries Middlebury …

Eugene J. Stratton, age 77, of Marcellus, MI passed away on National Fireman’s Day, Wednesday, May 4, 2016, at Borgess Medical Center, Kalamazoo, MI. He was born December 24, 1938 in Kalamazoo, MI the son of Ernest Avery and Mildred Ione (Snow) Stratton. On November 24, 1961 in Dowagiac, MI he married Yvonne R. Powers who preceded him in death …

Lawrence N. Bogie, age 71, passed away at home, Wednesday, May 4, 2016. He was born November 17, 1944 in Ottuma, Iowa, the son of Orville Niel and Evelyn M. (Roemke) Bogie. Larry had been a professional walleye fisherman and had been pictured in fishing magazines. He always looked forward to opening day of walleye fishing and also enjoyed fishing …

A man who got a new trial after being convicted in the death of his half brother in southwestern Michigan is awaiting sentencing after being convicted again. The Herald-Palladium of St. Joseph reports a Van Buren County last week convicted 37-year-old Antonio Lewis of second-degree murder in the death of Ivory Shaver. WSJM-AM reports sentencing is scheduled for June 13. …

David Lee Trine, age 78, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, May 4, 2016, at his home. David was born March 30, 1938, in Quincy, Ill., a son to the late David M. and Ruth I. (Hartwig) Trine. He had served in the U.S. Air Force from 1956 to 1960. On June 26, 1960, he married Iva Jean Thurston, and …

Members of the St. Joseph County Road Commission have two weeks before they’ll regroup and take a deeper look at the lopsided defeat the agency suffered this week. By a margin of nearly 5-to-1, a request for an additional 2.5 mills over a 10-year period was turned down Tuesday. Agency officials said they hope to get a better understanding of …

Registration for a first-of-its-kind competition in St. Joseph County opened this week. Bill Johnson, manager of the St. Joseph County Grange Fair, said the “River Country Has Talent” competition will involve eight local community celebrations after a kickoff weekend June 3-4 at the Centreville-based fairgrounds. At stake is $1,500 to the winner and $500 each to the two runners-up. Johnson …

St. Joseph County’s longtime medical examiner was recognized by members of the county commission during their meeting this week. A proclamation honoring John Robertson was approved by commissioners Tuesday. Commissioner Rick Shaffer read the proclamation. It commended Robertson for his personal commitment of time and energy required to responsibly perform a public duty, and for the unselfish sacrifices he demonstrated …

U.S. safety regulators are expanding a recall of Takata air bags, already the largest recall in U.S. history. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Wednesday that it’s adding up to 40 million air bags to the ongoing recall of 28.8 million air bags made by Japanese supplier Takata Corp. Inflators inside the air bags can explode with too much …