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The St. Joseph County United Way is staging a “Back to School” event Friday and it is asking the public for help. Scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the event will benefit children in the community who need school supplies and backpacks. Shoppers at the Sturgis Walmart this week can purchase school supplies to be donated, then place the …

Midwest Propane invites the community to a family movie night this Thursday, Aug. 27. The feature film is the Disney/Pixar family favorite UP, and the event will be held under the stars on the lawn of the Cass County Council on Aging, 60525 Decatur Road, Cassopolis. The venue opens at 6 p.m. and the movie begins at 7. The event …

St. Joseph County Commission on Aging officials stated last week they will continue to allocate nearly $17,000 for senior mental-health services next fiscal year. But, they told the county’s mental health agency not to count on any additional funding. Lynn Coursey, COA executive director, said her agency’s 2015-16 budget continues the mental-health-services allocation despite recent concerns over St. Joseph County …

The Constantine Village Council has investigated and validated a claim that the Constantine Township Library has been overcharged on its water-sewer bill since 2007. Village manager Mark Honeysett said the library has two water meters— one for the building and one for lawn sprinklers. The problem centered on water to irrigate the lawn, which ran through both meters, Honeysett noted. …

St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough offered praise to investigators involved in the arrest last week of Three Rivers shooting suspect Westley George. McDonough stated in a media release that the situation “was difficult (but) handled professionally and without incident.” McDonough also expressed his condolences and prayers to the family and friends of victim Eugene Jackson. The 24-year-old Jackson died …

Alcohol is believed to be a factor in a single-vehicle accident over the weekend in Lockport Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said deputies were alerted around 10 p.m. Saturday to a pickup that had lost control, left the roadway and overturned along M-60 in the vicinity of Marlene Drive. Investigators said the pickup was apparently racing another vehicle …

Members of the Colon Historical Society are issuing advance notice of the third bi-annual Historic Home and Business Tour. The event, a fundraiser for the village’s historical society, will take place 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 19. A number of sites will be on this year’s tour, including three residences: the Farrand/Roth house, the Hartman/Davis house and the Cattell/Johnson …

The Three Rivers Area Foundation has joined forces with the Three Rivers Police Department to replace a K-9 officer. In June, Three Rivers lost its K-9, Hondo, to cancer. Hondo had been on duty for five years. Matt Stark, who was Hondo’s partner, said the foundation contacted the department about joining with the police department to gain funds to replace …

The Exchange Club of Sturgis recently announced its 19th “Keep Sturgis Beautiful” Award program winners, recognizing four city homeowners and one commercial business. As in the past, the Exchange Club chose one winner from each of the city’s four corners as well as one non-residential property. Sturgis Neighborhood Program Director Monica Smith shared that the properties are judged and selected …

An 18-year-old woman and 31-year-old man have been arrested after a counterfeit $100 bill was used to pay for a milkshake at a western Michigan restaurant. The Kalamazoo Gazette and Battle Creek Enquirer report Sunday that police later found fake bills were passed Saturday at three other businesses in Battle Creek. Police say the woman took the change from the …