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St. Joseph County officials this week agreed to discontinue its relationship with a Jackson-based company for audit services. A request for services netted the lowest bid from Gabridge & Co. financial consultant of Grand Rapids for the annual task. Its bid was $76,000 total for a three-year period beginning in 2017. The county’s previous auditor, Rehmann financial consultant, submitted a …

Two St. Joseph County communities were included in a list of counties that received grants announced this week by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The cities of Sturgis and Three Rivers will receive funds through the Recreation Passport Grant. In all, 36 communities across the state will share more than $1.4 million through the grant. Sturgis will receive $45,000 …

It was a time of reflection Tuesday in Centreville, as three of the county commission’s five members were honored for their collective 40 years of service to the county at what was their final meeting. Rick Shaffer, Robin Baker and Don Eaton were presented plaques, and a generous amount of kind words from commission chairman Allen Balog and commissioner John …

Barbara Marshall, superintendent of St. Joseph County Intermediate School District has announced her resignation. It becomes effective April 1, 2017. She will step down after leading the organization for 11 years. Robert Trenary, president of the ISD board, read Marshall’s resignation Monday at the board’s monthly meeting. The board agreed to contract Rob Olsen of Synergy 1, who will work …

Eliot Gitelman has been named 2016 recipient of the John E. Oster Award, an award that recognizes teaching excellence in the Sturgis Public Schools system. He was honored Monday during a meeting of Sturgis Rotary Club at Sturges-Young Auditorium. Gitelman has taught at Sturgis Public Schools since 1990, serving as orchestra instructor. Nomination forms received from colleagues, former students and …

A Three Rivers man was involved in a single-vehicle accident Monday in Cass County. Sheriff Joe Underwood said deputies were called shortly after 11:30 a.m. to the intersection of M-205 and Cassopolis Road in Mason Township. Underwood said 20-year-old Rickey Richards was driving north on M-205 when he lost control of his vehicle. His car ran off the road and …

As a toddler, taking a nap was something I didn’t enjoy doing. At this time in my life, taking an afternoon nap has become quite enjoyable. It has become something that is also quite necessary, unless I want to find myself falling asleep during Jeopardy. I’m an early riser, even without an alarm clock. I don’t need to get up early …

An Indiana teenager died in a two-vehicle accident over the weekend in Cass County. Sheriff Joe Underwood Jr. said a car driven by Lucas Lambright, 17, of Millersburg, Ind., was northbound on M-40 shortly before 12:30 p.m. Sunday in Newburg Township. Lambright lost control of his vehicle and crossed the center line. Lambright’s vehicle ended up in the path of …

About 20 Sturgis-area children had their Christmas season brightened Saturday by officers from Sturgis Police Department and Sturgis firefighters. The “Shop With a Hero” event was made possible in part through a donation by Walmart, according to event organizers. Officers pushed shopping carts while children selected gifts for their family members and themselves.

A Sturgis man was treated for burns and smoke inhalation following a residential fire over the weekend. Sturgis Fire and Rescue units were called at 9 a.m. Saturday to the 200 block of Surprise Street, where a single-family residence was ablaze. An elderly man, identified as the homeowner, was found unconscious inside the residence. He was transported to Sturgis Hospital …