APPOINTMENT PROCESS EXPLAINED There seem to be some misconceptions regarding the appointment of the St. Joseph County Clerk and Register of Deeds. Here is an explanation of the process that took place prior to my retirement on June 30, 2015 regarding the appointment of Lindsay Oswald. It is the duty of the Circuit Judge to make the appointment of the …

“The customer is always right” is a phrase that has been around for years. Ninety percent of the time, it’s the truth. Let’s concentrate for a moment on the other ten percent. The uninformed might become extremely upset because they were told that they were not allowed to bring outside food or beverages into an eating establishment. The customer thought …

A Sturgis man died over the weekend from injuries he suffered in a two-vehicle accident July 2 in Burr Oak Township. Family members said Jimmy Whitt, 55, passed away shortly after he was taken off life support Sunday afternoon at Bronson Methodist Hospital. Sheriff’s deputies said a United States Postal Service mail-transfer truck driven by 55-year-old Kenelm Digby, of Otsego, …

A 25-year-old Leonidas man was injured over the weekend after he was in a crash. Sheriff’s deputies said Isaac Eicher was driving north on Farrand Road in Colon Township, where he lost control of his vehicle shortly after 5 a.m. Sunday. The vehicle rolled over and struck a tree. Eicher was extricated from the vehicle. Investigators said he was not …

The Michigan Department of Transportation wishes to alert the public about a railroad crossing closure in Cass County starting next week. MDOT said the crossing on M-216 in the village of Marcellus will be undergoing repairs by Canadian National Railway beginning Monday. Due to the scope of work, the project will not be completed until Aug. 10. The posted detour …

Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of St. Joseph County is looking for comments and feedback regarding its plan to apply for a substance-abuse license through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. If approved, the license will allow the agency to provide assessment, referral, outpatient, individual, group sessions, case management, early intervention, integrated treatment, peer support, recovery …

Records show a jail inmate who killed two bailiffs at a southwestern Michigan courthouse was locked up on major felony charges. State police records say Larry Darnell Gordon was charged in April with criminal sexual conduct, assault with a dangerous weapon and kidnapping. Authorities say the 44-year-old inmate overpowered a sheriff’s deputy at the Berrien County courthouse Monday, took his …

Lila Mae Withers, age 89, of Three Rivers, passed away on Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at Three Rivers Health. She was born February 27, 1927 to Jesse and Effie (Newman) Rumsey. She married Herman Withers on August 30, 1945. She was employed at J.P. Falvey’s for fifteen years. Herman Withers passed away in October of 1977. Lila married F. Merle …

A southwestern Michigan police department has changed its policy on pursuits after a motorist was killed after her vehicle was hit by another car fleeing police. Portage’s public safety Director Richard White tells WOOD-TV his department is no longer chasing motorists for minor offenses. Officers still will chase violent felons and drivers posing threats to the public. White says: “I …

Dr. Donald E. Bradley, age 93, of Colon, passed away Friday, July 8, 2016, at the Birch Adult Foster Care Home in Leonidas. Don was born June 4, 1923, in Virden, Manitoba, Canada, a son to the late Dr. John W. and Marion Ellen (Barton) Bradley. Don received his early education in Virden and enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air …