St Joseph County

“The Not-So-Wild West,” the theme of the 2013 Mendon Kiwanis Showboat, begins its three-night run this evening. A cast of nearly three dozen people will perform a total of 24 songs and be featured in a variety of comical skits that have become the hallmark of the annual Mendon event over its 56-year life. Organizers of this week’s 57th annual …

A longtime Three Rivers city employee and community icon has passed away. Ken Baker, who served in a variety of roles for the municipality, died Tuesday evening following a long battle with kidney cancer. He was 71. Baker started his career with the city as a patrol officer for the Three Rivers Police Department. He was later promoted to sergeant …

Tom Lowry will serve two more years as mayor of Three Rivers, as he defeated Larry Nichols in Tuesday’s general election. Lowry, 57, topped the 58-year-old Nichols, 268 votes to 206. Over the course of two tenures, Lowry has served as mayor for 14 years. Meanwhile, Linda Gearhart won the commissioner-at-large position Tuesday and will start a two-year term to …

Centreville Public Schools will see $12.8 million worth of improvements over the next decade, as its voters on Tuesday approved a 2.95-mill increase request. The vote was 351 in favor to 226 opposed. As a result, the district will start improvements at its elementary and jr./sr. high buildings next year as part of a three-phase plan that will also see …

Voters in the Constantine Public Schools District Tuesday said “yes” to an operating-millage proposal to collect a full 18 mills from non-homestead property owners. In addition, a second request to collect more than $6.5 million for improvements at its middle school also received community endorsement. The first measure, which passed, 662 to 432, will allow the district to collect the …

Colon Community Schools will continue to receive money from the 18 mills it levies on non-homestead properties. A 10-year request to renew the operating millage passed Tuesday, 286 to 119. Board of education president Ernie Baker said the district realizes about $850,000 annually from the 18 mills, which are paid by owners of the seasonal and second homes on many …

A write-in candidate for the Sturgis City Commission topped an incumbent during Tuesday’s general election. Precinct 2 commissioner Karen Stephens fell short in her attempt to serve two more years, as she was beaten by Charles Huber, 39 to 15. Four other candidates in Sturgis ran unopposed and will return to the nine-member city commission.

A pair of St. Joseph County football teams remains in the state playoffs, while Cassopolis and Schoolcraft also picked up wins in the opening-round to continue their seasons. In Division 8, Mendon routed Eau Claire, 67-to-0 Saturday, to up its season record to 10-and-0. The Hornets will play for a district title at 1 p.m. Saturday, when they host 9-and-1 …

The identity of a Sturgis man who died in a crash last week in Florence Township has been confirmed. Corey Michael Draime, 27, was declared dead at the scene of the one-car crash just after 1 a.m. Oct. 27 in the 65000 block of Lutz Road. St. Joseph County Sheriff’s deputies said Draime was driving a vehicle stolen from the …

Nominations are being accepted for the 2013-14 John E. Oster Award for outstanding teaching and community service by a Sturgis Public Schools teacher. Now in its 33rd year, the award is in honor of the late John E. Oster, a Sturgis attorney who placed high value on education and community service. Sturgis school district residents who wish to nominate a …