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Marcellus High School senior Steven McKenzie is one of 32 athletes in the state to earn a prestigious award. McKenzie was named a Michigan High School Athletic Association Scholar Athlete. School officials said there were more than 1,700 applicants this year and McKenzie was one of two class D male athletes to earn the award. The recognition is based on …

The name of the victim in a fatal auto accident last week in Fabius Township has been released by the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department. Michael Gabriel Juan Willis, 13, died at the scene of the two-vehicle crash Friday night at the intersection of U.S. 131 and Broadway Street. Willis was a front-seat passenger in a vehicle being driven by …

Authorities say a man who was shot and killed during a confrontation with officers was wielding an air pistol. Kalamazoo Public Safety Chief Jeff Hadley told reporters Monday that “it would be impossible for anyone, including an officer, to distinguish” the air pistol Brad Mason had from another weapon. Hadley said the toy’s orange safety tip and other markings had …

Thirty-one-year-old Nathan Lumbard has been ordered to serve between six and 15 years in prison, following his sentencing last week. Lumbard, a LaGrange County resident, was sentenced Friday in St. Joseph County Circuit Court by Judge Paul Stutesman for setting fire to Welch’s Steak and Ribs in May 2009. Lumbard was also charged with breaking and entering to commit larceny. …

A committee supporting a proposed millage-increase being sought by White Pigeon Community Schools kicked off its campaign last week. The Yes Committee, whose members are promoting participation in the May 6 request, plans to maintain a visible presence at school-related and public functions over the next three months. Co-chair Jody Davidson said the committee is also helping the public understand …

Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority members expect to hear this week whether the agency is awarded a step up to a “Select” level in the Michigan Main Street community. A team of DDA and community members made a presentation before a panel of judges last week in Lansing as part of the process to earn the Select status. If chosen …

Seven people were arrested last week on drug-related charges following a raid at a residence in Sturgis. The St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit executed a search warrant at a residence in the 200 block of North Clay Street, where three men and four women were arrested. Charges include possession of methamphetamine and maintaining a drug house. Three children were …

A Detroit police officer has been cleared in the 2012 fatal shooting of a woman who grabbed his service pistol during a party in his backyard. Deputy Police Chief Rodney Johnson tells The Associated Press that 40-year-old Isaac Parrish never was charged in the death of 24-year-old Adaisha Miller. Police had said Miller “embraced” Parrish from behind while dancing. Parrish …

The St. Joseph County United Way raised more than $765,000 during its 2014 campaign, officials from the agency announced Thursday. About 200 people gathered at the Sturgis VFW to find out whether the campaign’s goal of $740,000 would be met. In the end, the final amount raised was $765,983, more than $30,000 over what was raised a year ago. Top …

One person was injured Thursday after a roof collapsed at Omni Source Corporation, at 2160 S. Centerville Road, in Sturgis. Sturgis fire crews responded at the scene and found a 100-by-200-foot section of the main building had collapsed. Two employees were in the building at the time, and both escaped. One suffered minor injuries. Gas and power were shut off …