Investigators from the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit worked in conjunction with parole agents from the Michigan Department of Corrections in performing compliance checks last week. Sheriff Brad Balk said investigators teamed with corrections agents to check on individuals on parole and probation in Three Rivers, Fabius Township, and Lockport Township. Seven different locations were targeted, resulting in five …

Dep. MaKenzie Kreiner of the Cass County Sheriff’s Office has been selected as the 2015 Child Passenger Safety Technician of the Year by the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning. The annual recognition program, now in its second year, honors those who serve as an example to other technicians by educating families about the proper installation and use of car …

The National Weather Service has confirmed a tornado touched down last week near Edwardsburg. The agency said the incident occurred around 3:15 p.m. Thursday a mile west of the community at the north end of Sundance Road, just south of U.S. 12. A video was taken that shows debris being lofted with notable rotation. The tornado tracked in an east-northeast direction. It heavily …

Authorities say they are investigating the death of a 4-year-old girl on her birthday. Kalamazoo police say officers responded to a home Saturday on a report that the girl wasn’t breathing. She was unresponsive and pronounced dead at the home. Police said more information will be released after an autopsy.  (AP)

Glenn Thomas Frye, Jr. age 56, died on Wednesday, March 23, 2016. The family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. until time of memorial services beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at New Hope United Church; 28765 CR 4 West; Elkhart, IN 46514. Arrangements are being handled by Hohner Funeral Home.  

KALAMAZOO, MI – The Kalamazoo Wings (33-28-4-1) swept a pair of games against the visiting Wheeling Nailers (34-24-4-4) this past weekend. The wins helped close the playoff gap for the K-Wings to just three points. The K-Wings are currently in 10th place in the American Conference playoff race with 71 points. The Orlando Solar Bears also have 71 points, but …

Connie A. Smith, age 84, of Colon, passed away Saturday, March 26, 2016, peacefully at home with her family. Connie was born Sept. 10, 1931, in Charlotte, Mich., a daughter to the late Gaylord L. and Ruth A. (Hooper) Sherman. Connie graduated from Olivet High School and continued her education at Mercy College of Nursing in Detroit, receiving her registered …

Carol J. Bidelman, age 75, of Marcellus, MI passed away Saturday, March 26, 2016. She was born December 26, 1940 in Paw Paw, MI the son of Elmer L. and Dorothy E. (Weatherwax) Oakes. On July 24, 1965 in Perry, MI, she married Robert Bidelman and he survives. She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary Marcellus V.F.W. Post 4054 …

Robert “Bob” Horton, age 79, of Sturgis, passed away Friday, March 25, 2016 at his home. He was born on November 9, 1936, a son of Arthur and Virginia (Belman) Horton in Marshall. Bob graduated from Jackson High School in 1955 and later attended classes at Jackson JC and Glen Oaks CC. On July 29, 1956, he married Charlene “Dee” Titler in …

Clara Mae Green, age 71, of Coldwater, passed away Friday, March 25, 2016, at Maple Lawn Medical Care Facility in Coldwater. She was born Dec. 17, 1944, in Colon, a daughter of the late Ore and Treva (Strome) Metzger. Clara had been a resident of the Bronson and Sturgis area all her life and had resided in nursing home care …