The Constantine board of education has approved hiring Jessica Barth as the school’s new athletic director. Barth is currently the principal at Eastside Elementary School in Constantine and succeeds longtime AD Mike Messner, who is retiring at the end of the school year. The action was taken during Monday’s school board meeting.

It wasn’t quite do or die for that Kalamazoo Wings on Monday night at Wings Event Center, but a 5-3 win over the South Carolina Stingrays will hopefully give the K-Wings some momentum as the two teams head to South Carolina for the reminder of the best-of-seven series. Justin Kovacs scored two goals on Monday night, including a power play …

Brad Lee Wells, age 58, of Burr Oak, passed away early Tuesday morning, April 19, 2016, at his home. He was born Dec. 21, 1957, in Sturgis, a son of the late Robert E. and Frances Jean (Wellington) Wells. Brad was a lifelong Burr Oak resident and a graduate of Burr Oak High School with the class of 1976. On …

Donna Joan Caseman, age 89, of Constantine, passed away Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at Heartland Health Care.  She was born December 25, 1926 in Union, a daughter of Frank and Fannie May (Hull) Caseman.   She graduated from Constantine High School.  Donna worked at Gambles in Constantine for 20+ years, later retiring from GM in Three Rivers after working there for …

Christine Kay Norton, age 66, of Mendon, died Monday, April 18, 2016 at Sunshine House in Three Rivers. She was born in Three Rivers on Oct. 13, 1949 the daughter of Leonard “Mike” and Janice L. (McKindley) Osgood and has been a lifetime resident of the Mendon area. She graduated from Mendon High School with the class of 1968. Chris …

Alden Joseph Zimlich Jr., age 92, of Three Rivers died Sunday, April 17, 2016 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio on July 21, 1923. The son of Alden J. Zimlich Sr. and Margaret (Fladeland) Zimlich. After high school, Alden worked in the Detroit area as a toolmaker. He later owned and operated Mid-America Plastics …

Remnants of methamphetamine labs have been found in the past two weeks on roadsides in Branch County. The Daily Reporter of Coldwater reported Monday that two certified meth disposal officers have been called on to remove 15 meth labs. Sheriff John Pollack says people should be suspicious before picking up bottles that are found, and to leave them alone if …

I’m at that age when my list of goals isn’t all that large. I’ve done about as much damage as I can and have tried to live a life that my parents would be proud of. I still strive to be a better person than I was ten years ago, and I do that by surrounding myself with good people. …

The sheriff’s department’s annual report tops the agenda for today’s St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners meeting. Other matters appearing before the commission include an equalization report, a request from animal control for a fundraiser and four remonumentation contracts. Commissioners meet at 5 o’clock in the third-floor commissioners’ room at the county courthouse.

Florence Township Supervisor Gordon Evilsizor has stepped up his crusade in support of funding to improve the condition of Constantine Road. Evilsizor last week purchased four campaign signs and placed them at various points along the north-south route. The signs read: “Sorry! County commissioners feel it’s a bad investment to fix this rough road with your tax dollars.” He said …