The St. Joseph County Grange Fair plans to showcase local talent instead of a big-name act as part of its entertainment lineup at the 2016 event. Fair manager Bill Johnson said the new approach involves a partnership with the county’s eight incorporated communities and their respective summer festivals. He said the concept involves vocal performances at each of the county’s …

Meijer is announcing 280 job openings for its new supercenter in Sturgis. The company seeks candidates in all departments, as the store is scheduled to open this summer. Available positions include clerks, cake decorators, customer service, cashiers, receiving and meat cutters. Starting pay is based on experience level and specific skills. Potential candidates may begin the hiring process by applying online …

Marylou Broach, 78, of White Pigeon, died Monday, Feb. 22, 2016, at her home, following an extended illness. Memorial services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are entrusted to Farrand Funeral Home of White Pigeon.

A 10-mile funeral procession is planned for two of the six people slain in a weekend shooting rampage in southwestern Michigan. MLive.com reports that mourners will travel Saturday morning from Mattawan High School to Calvary Bible Church in Kalamazoo where services will be held for 53-year-old Richard Smith and his 17-year-old son, Tyler. The newspaper reports that the procession will …

State officials are reminding hunters that tree stands must be removed from public land by March 1. The Department of Natural Resources says all scaffolds, raised platforms, ladders, steps and other tree-climbing devices must be taken down. Owners of equipment that remains on public land after the deadline could be charged with a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days …

A lawyer has been appointed to represent a man accused of killing six people in Kalamazoo. Eusebio Solis is based in Battle Creek. He declined to comment when reached Wednesday by The Associated Press. Jason Dalton is charged with killing six people during random shootings Saturday in the Kalamazoo area. Two people are in the hospital. Solis is a former …

Ms. Donna Lee Zubriski, age 77, of Constantine, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016 at Borgess Medical Center. She was born on September 19th, 1938 in California, Pennsylvania the daughter of the late William Joseph and Beulah Jane (Edmunds) Nelson Ms. Zubriski has been a long time resident of this area. She owned and operated the Elderly Foster Care …

Caroline Knauss, 78, of Constantine, died Tuesday, February 23, 2016, at Borgess Medical Center. She was born on January 4, 1938 in Kalamazoo. Relatives and friends will be received Saturday, February 27 from 1-2 PM at Eley Funeral Home, Constantine where religious services will follow at 2 PM. Interment will follow in Calhoun Cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted to Eley Funeral …

State health officials have confirmed the first case of the Zika virus in Michigan. The state says Wednesday that an Ingham County woman contracted the virus while traveling in a country where it is transmitted and experienced symptoms consistent with the disease after returning to Michigan. Zika virus is spread to people primarily through the bite of infected mosquitoes, and …

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced 121 new participants – representing 49 states and the District of Columbia – in an innovative initiative – Medicare Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) – designed to improve the care patients receive in the health care system and lowers costs.Three Rivers Health was selected as one of 100 new Medicare Shared …