Recent Posts

Constantine honored retired superintendent

Retired Constantine Public Schools superintendent Chuck Frisbie was honored Tuesday during a luncheon at the high school, the district’s last day of the academic year. Frisbie was presented with a special-commendation award from the state, signed by Rep. Aaron Miller, U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, state Sen. John Proos and Gov. Rick Snyder. The 54-year-old Frisbie also received a plaque from …

Read More »

Bicyclists bonded as ‘Chain Gang’ before crash that killed 5

They called themselves “The Chain Gang” — a group of bicyclists drawn together by zest for their sport, physical fitness and love of the outdoors whose day trip in the southwestern Michigan countryside ended tragically as a pickup truck plowed into them, killing five and injuring four others. Stunned biking enthusiasts joined relatives and friends of the riders Wednesday in …

Read More »

Bicyclist dies on after hitting carriage on Mackinac Island

Authorities say a 79-year-old woman died after her bicycle struck a horse-drawn carriage on Michigan’s Mackinac Island. Island police Chief Brett Riccinto said Gail Johnson of Llano, Texas, was bicycling on Main Street near the public library Tuesday afternoon. He says it appears she “veered over and … drove right into the carriage.” Riccinto says her head hit a crossbar …

Read More »

Prosecutor: Insanity defense to be used Kalamazoo shootings

A Michigan man charged with killing six strangers in between picking up riders for Uber is expected to use insanity as a defense. Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Getting said Monday that Jason Dalton’s defense attorney says he will file a notice of intent. Once the notice is filed, the state will be ordered to perform a psychiatric evaluation of Dalton …

Read More »

Commissioners make fund-balance designation changes

Some minor but important changes to the county’s fund-balance designations were made by commissioners Tuesday. Finance director Joni Smith said one of the two moves provides assurance that the county won’t have to borrow money when treasurer Judie Ratering conducts the annual delinquent-tax process. The delinquent-tax process needs $6 million every year to cash flow itself, Smith said, so keeping …

Read More »

Water Festival armbands on sale

Organizers of the Three Rivers Water Festival said an opportunity to save money on armbands for rides at next week’s event is available for another week. Rides and games require tickets purchased at the midway site in the West City parking lot at a cost of $18 per person. Advanced sales for the armband tickets are available for $15 until …

Read More »

No license needed for free fishing weekend

State Rep. Aaron Miller said this coming Saturday and Sunday is Free Fishing Weekend in Michigan, and he urges people to join by casting a line in a local lake, pond or river. Miller said the Michigan Department of Natural Resources waives all fishing-license fees during Free Fishing Weekend so residents and out-of-staters alike can experience the joy of fishing …

Read More »

Out and About – Week of June 6th

I spent nine years working for a Japanese freight forwarder in Chicago. During those nine years, I was able to become familiar with the Japanese language, but not enough to follow the dialogue in foreign movies featuring Japanese actors. Thank God for movies like MIDWAY, where most of the script was in English. I am also a little familiar with …

Read More »

Three contestants qualify for Talent finals

Organizers of this past weekend’s Summer Kick-Off at the St. Joseph County Fairgrounds remained upbeat despite a wet day Saturday. The annual event included a beer tent, karaoke and a mud run. Tractor and truck pulls scheduled for Saturday were canceled due to the weather. Regarding River Country Has Talent, only three people registered. As a result, they automatically qualified …

Read More »

County commission to field millage request

The 2015 annual audit and a county millage-rate request are among the items of new business to be fielded this afternoon by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. Other matters before the commission include a request for a new position for community corrections, a request to establish an online survey and fund-balance designations. The meeting starts at 5 p.m. …

Read More »