The Michigan Department of Transportation is seeking public comment on its draft 2013-2017 five-year transportation program. The draft document includes information about MDOT’s funding picture and a list of specific transportation projects planned for the next five years in each of MDOT’s seven regions. Locations, descriptions and proposed construction years of more than 400 projects may be found through a …

Kalamazoo police have released the names of two residents who were arrested in Georgia for two September shootings, one of them fatal.   31-year-old Clarence Ross Junior is charged with an open count of murder in the Sept. 30 killing of 24-year-old Jheryl Wright at the Quick Stop convenience store.  The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety says that 30-year-old Duncan Williams …

Red has a home for Christmas! Hi! Are you ready for Christmas?! I am Francua, a one year old male Schnauzer mix. I am a happy little guy and people say they smile every time they look at me. If I could come to your house for Christmas it will be a very happy place for all of us! You …

James Ivan Miller, age 63, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly early Wednesday morning, Dec. 19, 2012, at his home. He was born May 2, 1949, in Sturgis, a son of the late Harry and Carmen (Sager) Miller. Jim resided most of his life in Sturgis and was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1967. He proudly …

A Constantine Public Schools policy committee will have an abundance of information to review next month, following a special meeting its board of education conducted Wednesday. Staged in light of a series of policies employed following an incident last month, the district asked the public for feedback during what turned out to be an hour-long gathering. About 50 participants gathered …

An English teacher at Sturgis High School has been named the recipient of the 2012 John E. Oster Award. Stephanie Harker Schau, a 1985 graduate of Sturgis High School, was presented the award during a Monday luncheon sponsored by the Sturgis Rotary Club. Created by Oster’s widow, Jo Ellen, the John E. Oster memorial recognizes teaching excellence in Sturgis Public …

A pair of Sturgis men were arrested on drug-related charges following a search of their residence Tuesday. The men, ages 40 and 39, face charges of maintaining and operating a methamphetamine lab, possession of meth and maintaining a drug house. They were arrested in the 200 block of Susan Street after the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit executed a …

Five incumbents returning to the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners were sworn in for their two-year terms by County Clerk Pattie Bender this week. Rick Shaffer, John Dobberteen, Al Balog, Don Eaton and Robin Baker were sworn in during a brief ceremony prior to Tuesday’s county commission meeting. Balog, Eaton and Baker ran unopposed in the August primary, while …

Nicholas Chapman, age 13, of Three Rivers, MI passed away on December 17, 2012. He was born in Kalamazoo, MI on June 13, 1999, the son of Ralph and Lori (Dentler) Chapman. Nick attended the Three Rivers Middle School and was an active and loving young man. He enjoyed swimming and drawing, spent many hours playing video games and always …

Theodore James (TJ) Krull, 51, of White Pigeon, died Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, from injuries in an automobile accident. Born on July 2, 1961, in Three Rivers, to Theodore R. and Shirley A. (Mock) Krull. He was a 1979 graduate of White Pigeon High School, where he played on the golf and baseball teams. He lived in Hawaii for several …