A 43-year-old Sturgis woman was charged with drunken driving and open intoxicant following a traffic stop last week in Sturgis. A Michigan State Police trooper noticed her vehicle being driven without its headlights illuminated on South Centerville Road. In addition, a 42-year-old passenger was charged with open intoxicants and a probation violation for possession and consumption of alcohol. They were …

A loud exhaust prompted a trooper from the Michigan State Police to stop a vehicle last Wednesday on U.S. 12 in Burr Oak Township. The driver, a 22-year-old Bronson resident, was driving on a suspended license and also was found to be wanted on a warrant for failure to appear on an unspecified charge, police said. He posted a cash …

Members of the Centreville Village Council are debating whether to purchase a police vehicle to replace the current car. The council is mulling the idea of a Chevy Tahoe. Council member Jeff Johnson said the vehicle – fitted with standard law-enforcement equipment – would cost about $ 35,000. St. Joseph County Undersheriff Mark Lillywhite has been involved in the process …

Paul N. Woods, 58, of Sturgis, died unexpectedly of a 24-hour rapidly progressing lung infection at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 9 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. The family will receive friends from 1-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12 and 3-5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13 at Sturgis Missionary Church, 67080 N. M-66, Sturgis. A service celebrating the life of …

Charles Martin, 87, of Lawton, passed away Friday morning, Feb. 8, 2013 at the Battle Creek VA Hospital. He was born July 19, 1925 in Three Rivers the son of the late Harold and Lola (Abshire) Martin. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Charlie was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Lawton, the American …

A two-act evening of entertainment will be the musical highlight of the 2013 St. Joseph County Grange Fair in September. Fair manager Bill Johnson said Josh Turner will headline the Sept. 21 show. Meanwhile, Kix Brooks, who teamed with Ronnie Dunn to form Brooks and Dunn and reel off a string of hits starting in the early 1990s, will serve …

A 44-year-old Three Rivers woman was issued a moving violation after the vehicle she was driving rear-ended a school bus last week in Park Township. Investigators from the White Pigeon detachment of the Michigan State Police said the incident occurred at 3:30 p.m. Thursday at the railroad crossing on Moorepark Road, just east of U.S. 131. Police said the Three …

White Pigeon Community Schools Superintendent Ron Drzewicki said Owen-Ames-Kimball Co. and TowerPinkster, will be hosting a contractor outreach meeting 3 to 4 p.m. Feb. 26 at Central Elementary School. The meeting – open to any licensed and bonded contractor – will focus on bid requirements and promote participation in construction projects to be funded by a five-year, 3-mill sinking fund …

The Cass County Drug Enforcement Team seized firearms, methamphetamine, marijuana, illegally-obtained prescription drugs and meth-lab components in a search of a Porter Township residence last week. According to Cass County officials, Blayne Wolf, 47, and Barbara Balentine, 52, were arrested following the 6:30 p.m. raid Thursday in the 13000 block of Carter Lake Street, near the community of Union. Wolf …

Michael Alan “Mike” Schmitt, age 54, of Mendon died Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013 at his home. He was born in Mendon on Jan. 13, 1959 the son of Clement C. and Joan L. (Dick) Schmitt and was a lifetime resident of St. Joseph County. Mike graduated from Mendon High School with the class of 1978. He was married to Vickie …