Raymond L. Simpson, age 66, of LaGrange, Indiana passed away early Wednesday morning September 4, 2013 at his home. He was born August 10, 1947 in Vicksburg, Michigan son of the late John and Leonea (Yeomans) Simpson. Raymond resided in LaGrange since 2010 when he and his wife bought the home of their dreams. Prior to moving to LaGrange he …

Police officers and other first responders are in mourning following Monday’s shooting death of a Michigan State Police Trooper in Ludington. The Michigan State Police say Paul Butterfield died late Monday night during emergency surgery, after he was shot during a traffic stop. A man and woman exchanged gunfire with Butterfield during the stop. The pair fled but were captured …

My office is small. If it were larger, I’d just fill it up with stuff. The late George Carlin once did a bit called, “Stuff”. I can truly relate to this, as can my wife. I think that all of us save, or collect, items that we probably will never use again. At one time, I had a nice set …

A promotional campaign for the locally made movie “The Current – Three Rivers,” began this week. Radio and newspaper spots in support of the full-length feature film started Monday, as the 2-hour, 24-minute film is set to premiere Oct. 18 at the Three Rivers 6 movie complex. Financed by local businessman Tom Meyer and directed by longtime Three Rivers resident …

The Michigan Department of Transportation Southwest Region is holding informational open houses at each of its three Transportation Service Centers this week. MDOT’s Nick Schirripa said TSC staff will be present at each location to discuss project selection, transportation funding, construction projects and other issues. Whether it’s highway and bridge conditions, project types, traffic signals and speed limits, snow removal …

A Cassopolis man died as a result of a motorcycle crash Monday evening at 8pm. The victim was identified as 50-year-old Ronald Turnbow. He lost control of his cycle on Chain Lake Street and crashed. Turnbow was not wearing a helmet.

A Vandalia man was injured in a motorcycle crash Monday evening on Daily Road. 19-year-old Connor Wright lost control of his cycle. He was taken to Lakeland Niles Hospital for treatment. He was wearing a helmet.

Gerald P. “Jerry” Bennett, age 72, of Kline’s Resort, Three Rivers, died peacefully at his home on Saturday Sep. 7, 2013 following a long illness. He was born in Battle Creek on July 13, 1941 and was the son of Virgil C. and Ethel (Shook) Bennett. Jerry attended Battle Creek Lakeview High School, and worked briefly for the Grand Trunk …

More than 400 motorcycles were part of Saturday’s 30th Sturgis Toy Run procession. Organizers of the annual event said good weather and the occasion of the Toy Run’s milestone contributed to a strong crowd of more than 2,000 people attending the Toy Run after-party at the event’s Kelly Road location in Burr Oak Township. Toy Run Board President Pat Linnan …

Glen Oaks Community College officials have announced a reverse-transfer agreement with Ferris State University. Glen Oaks students who transfer to Ferris prior to receiving their associate’s degree may be eligible to obtain their two-year degree from Glen Oaks by transferring their Ferris credits back to GOCC, as part of the agreement announced last week. Glen Oaks President Gary Wheeler said …