News

Mekayla Eppers, a White Pigeon High School alumna, ended her career as a pageant contestant over the weekend in the Mrs. World event. The former Mekayla Diehl (DEAL), who grew up in the community of Union, placed in the Top 12 Saturday in the 33-contestant pageant staged near Johannesburg, South Africa. Prior to her departure Dec. 5 for the African …

Three Rivers Community Schools Board of Education has given Superintendent Jean Logan an evaluation that equates to a rating of “minimally effective.” District officials said the evaluation was conducted Nov. 29 during a closed session involving board members and the 52-year-old Logan. The result was a score of 68 percent. Logan, who is in her fourth year as superintendent of …

Glen Oaks Community College’s board of trustees voted last week to approve a concourse design and move forward with a USDA loan application for the improvements. Architect Andrew Lechner of Arkos Design gave a presentation on the project Thursday. He said changes will include moving the cafe, the addition of an art gallery and expanded restrooms. President David Devier told …

Police say a driver fleeing an officer has died after losing control of her vehicle on a curve and crashing into a tree. Battle Creek police said the officer was trying to stop the woman for speeding and reckless driving when the crash occurred about 3:30 a.m. Sunday. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. Her …

Sturgis Police and Fire responded last week to an incident involving a vehicle that had rolled down the embankment of an abandoned railroad bed. According to a department media release, rescue personnel responded at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday to a remote location on the former Indiana Northeastern Railroad bed, just west of the former crossing at Big Hill Road in Fawn …

State police last week responded to a three-vehicle crash involving a wrong-way driver on an interstate in Branch County. According to a department media release, troopers were advised at 11:25 p.m. Friday that a Jeep entered the southbound lanes of Interstate 69 by driving north onto the exit ramp in Coldwater Township. The Jeep struck the rear trailer of a …

A one-mile stretch of Constantine Road will be upgraded thanks to a state grant and financial contributions from two local entities. During last week’s county commission meeting, Commissioner Dennis Allen said he received confirmation of the funding from Michigan Department of Transportation. The financial help will be provided through a “High Risk Rural Roads” grant. The 80/20 grant will see …

The Constantine Village Council held a special meeting Tuesday to review a medical marijuana ordinance to allow facilities in the village. A resolution and permit application also were reviewed. The ordinance initially passed by a 5-2 vote, but village attorney Howard Bush advised that a criteria and decision on how many such businesses the village will allow should be in place. …

Troopers from Michigan State Police are investigating recent, unrelated thefts. The first incident involved multiple packages left at a home on Patterson Lane, a dead-end street in Three Rivers. The theft occurred between noon and 1 p.m. Sunday, police said. The packages were left on the ground in front of the home and no one was at home. The items stolen …

St. Joseph County’s board of commissioners has approved amendments to the bylaws of the Veterans Affairs Board. During last week’s meeting, commissioners agreed to the changes that include dropping the requirement calling for at least one board member to have served in WW I. The bylaw was changed to read “… at least one member shall represent a congressionally chartered …