Taking their first lead of the night with 67 seconds remaining in regulation, the Wheeling Nailers defeated the Kalamazoo Wings 4-2 in game one to take a one-game to none lead in the Best-of-Five Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. End-to-end action featured no scoring in the first period. Wheeling outshot Kalamazoo 17-6 in the opening period. Picking up where he left off …

Time does fly by, when you’re having fun. This month, “Out and About” will be six years old, and I’m still finding things to write about, and having fun doing it. This column is not a “one-person” operation. Oh sure, I write it, but my wife, Barb, makes sure that the punctuation and grammar are correct. I did well in …

Researchers say coyotes were the No. 1 predator for deer in parts of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula during a recent study and bobcats were No. 2 on the list.  The Grand Rapids Press reports Monday that wolves came in fourth after a three-way tie among hunters, unknown predators and undetermined causes.  Jerry Belant is an associate professor of Wildlife Ecology and …

Investigators from the Michigan State Police post in White Pigeon are looking into the weekend theft of firearms, knives and ammunition from a White Pigeon bait shop. Owners of Fisher’s Bait and Tackle said someone broke into the U.S. 12 business sometime early Saturday. It appears entrance was gained through a rear window. Seven firearms were among the items stolen, …

Roadwork on a section of West Michigan Avenue in Three Rivers is expected to result in the closure of two lanes starting today. According to city officials, a one-lane closure has been in place due to a water main break under the roadway, which is overseen by the Michigan Department of Transportation. Starting today, however, Niles-based Northern Construction Services Corp. …

A 54-year-old Three Rivers man was not injured after the vehicle he was driving was forced off the road by an oncoming truck Monday morning. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said the victim was driving east on Fawn River Road in Sturgis Township when a large pickup truck with square headlights crossed the centerline and into the eastbound lane. …

Betty Jean Cooper, age 85, of Burr Oak, passed away Sunday, April 1, 2012, at Heartland Health Care Center in Three Rivers. She was born March 8, 1927, in Three Rivers, a daughter of the late Leon E. and Melva (Blank) Kline. Betty had resided in Burr Oak most of her adult life and had been employed at Shadow Interiors …

Tilman Bell, 76, of Dunn, N.C., and formerly of Mottville, died unexpectedly Friday, March 30, 2012, at his home. He was born Sept. 6, 1935, to Malcolm and Libby Mae (Locklear) Bell. He had been a resident of Dunn for the past 12 years, coming from Mottville. On Sept. 12, 1953, he married Myrtle Odell Groves. She preceded him in death Nov. 27, …

A two-year contract extension is expected to be offered to Rob Kuhlman, superintendent of Mendon Community Schools and Centreville Public Schools. Dave Peterson, president of the Centreville Board of Education, said a six-person joint committee last week gave Kuhlman a glowing annual evaluation. As a result, the committee agreed to offer Kuhlman a contract extension that would keep him in …

St. Joseph County’s January unemployment rate increased seven-tenths of a percent from December. Data released by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget Analysis shows St. Joseph County’s January unemployment rate was 9.8 percent. The figure was 1.8 percent lower than it was in January 2010. One contributing factor to the unemployment increase from December to January was the …