St. Joseph County Drain Commissioner Jeff Wenzel said 171 Soil Erosion and Sediment Control permits were issued in 2015, a figure he presented during his annual report Tuesday before the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. Other information Wenzel shared included the fact that 25 drain-maintenance permits were authorized to local farmers and constituents last year. The maintenance work was …

Scores of dead crows have been found along railroad tracks in southern Michigan. The Battle Creek Enquirer reports that the birds were discovered Tuesday in Springfield, southeast of Grand Rapids. Some area residents estimated that the number of dead birds could be high as 300. Their carcasses stretched about 200 yards along the tracks. Michigan Department of Natural Resources wildlife …

The body of a 68-year-old man has been found in a storm drain outside his southern Michigan business. The man’s body was discovered partially submerged about 6:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Fort Custer Industrial Park in Battle Creek. Battle Creek police say it appears the Galesburg man was working alone overnight and was trying to clear out the drain near …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department has announced its deputies of the year. Road deputy Jody Hughes and corrections deputy Andy Steinbarger were recipients of the award, announced by Sheriff Brad Balk. For Hughes, the recognition marks the second consecutive year he has won the honor. Hughes said he was humbled and honored, especially since he expected the award to …

Sturgis city commissioners last week said they want to study the potential development of a municipal dog park. Commissioners said they have received multiple inquiries from constituents about a dog park, and city manager Mike Hughes said that and development of recreation trails are among the community’s top priorities, after a recent review of the city’s master recreation plan. Commissioner …

The village of Constantine has announced the date and times of its annual Easter egg hunt. Village officials said the hunt will be March 26 and start for toddlers at 11 a.m. at the east end of Riverview Park; 11:15 a.m. for kindergarten and first-graders at the west end of Riverview Park; and 11:30 a.m. at Shelby Park for students …

Fletcher “Bumpy” West, age 78, of Three Rivers, passed away Monday, March 14, 2016 at Kairos Dwelling in Kalamazoo.  He was born on July 11, 1937 in Haverhill, Massachusetts, a son of Fletcher and Madeline (Young) West.  Fletcher graduated from Milford High School and served in the U.S. Army for 2 years.  He continued his education at Boston College and Harvard University, …

Here we are in the middle of March and my snow blower still has some gasoline in its tank. I’m at a loss as to what I should do. Should I run the snow blower out of gas and hope that we don’t get another storm, or should I hold off for a few more days? Suddenly I regain my …

The former executive administrator for the Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce has been sentenced following a charge of embezzlement. Deb Herring, a 59-year-old Schoolcraft resident, was ordered to serve six months in jail, pay restitution of more than $25,000 and be on probation for five years following her release. Herring, whose crime occurred between 2007 and 2014, was sentenced …

Two Burr Oak-area residents were arrested Monday by state police on warrants for drug-related offenses. According to a department media release, John Morgan, 32, and Nickole Collins, 29, were being sought for possession of heroin and marijuana, and maintaining a drug house. Their last known address was a residence on Carpenterson Road. The location or circumstances of their arrest was …