News

The Sunday storms that swept across the Lower Peninsula Sunday have claimed at least two lives. A 21-year-old Ingham County man died when a tree fell while he was driving. Investigators say the tree either fell in front of, or onto his car in Ingham County. The victim, Ryan Ellen Rickman of Leslie, was driving northbound when the heavy winds …

Authorities say an 83-year-old woman has died in a fire at her Kalamazoo-area home. MLive.com reports that Kalamazoo County Undersheriff Pali Matyas says she’s believed to be the owner of the house in Galesburg. Her name wasn’t immediately released. Charleston-Galesburg assistant fire Chief Joe Coleman says authorities got a call about 4:15 a.m. Monday and says two other departments helped …

The Big Lots store in Three Rivers will be closing shortly after the new year. Company officials said the retailer, at 1326 Broadway Street, will close Jan. 15, about a month after it begins its going-out-of-business sale. The seller of closeout and surplus merchandise moved to its current spot in 2005 from North Main Street in Three Rivers. It is …

All three area football teams bowed out of the state playoffs Saturday. In Division 8, Mendon was beaten at home for the second consecutive year by Muskegon Catholic Central. Saturday’s 28-to-12 loss ends the Hornets season at 11-and-1. Constantine, hoping to return to the Division 6 state championship game for the third time in three years, suffered a road loss …

Troopers from the White Pigeon state police detachment are investigating separate theft incidents reported earlier this month in Fabius and Mottville townships. In the first case, an 18-foot car-hauler trailer was stolen from a Fabius Township residence in the 14000 block of Gleason Road. The trailer was likely stolen between Oct. 30 and Nov. 1. Troopers were called last week …

Four Three Rivers residents were treated for injuries they suffered in a two-vehicle accident Saturday in Fabius Township. According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, a vehicle driven by 19-year-old Samantha Jo Combs attempted to turn left off U.S. 131 and onto North Main Street into the path of a vehicle driven northbound on U.S. 131 by 52-year-old Karen …

A restructuring plan was announced Wednesday by Glen Oaks Community College officials, who said a loss in student enrollment and a drop in property taxes were major reasons the moves were necessary. Glen Oaks President Gary Wheeler said the position of director of academic services will be cut. Meanwhile, another administrative position will be eliminated by combining the roles of …

Saturday marked the inaugural ball for the St. Joseph County Marine Corps League, Detachment 1401. With the help of League 763 of Coldwater, the event drew about 80 participants, according to Bill Stevens, chaplain of the St. Joseph County detachment. The ball was staged to commemorate the anniversary of the 238-year anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Marines Corps …

Ken Malone and Robert Hile were re-appointed Monday as mayor and vice-mayor for the city of Sturgis. The action took place during the commission’s organizational meeting. In addition, Michael Austermann and Charles Huber were sworn in as city commissioners. Austermann ran unopposed last week for the Precinct 1 seat vacated by David Smith, who announced his retirement from the board …

Hundreds of thousands of hunters begin their quest for whitetail deer across Michigan Friday, the start of the annual firearms season. Michigan Department of Natural Resources Deer and Elk Program Leader, Brent Rudolph, says they expect nearly 700-thousand to take part during the 16-day season, and reminds them that they are required to wear some form of blaze orange clothing …