News

The St. Joseph County Farm Bureau held its annual meeting recently at Sturges-Young Auditorium and several awards were presented. The 2016 Outstanding Young Ag Leader award went to Nathan Mumby of Leonidas, while the Outstanding Young Farm Employee award went to Riley Brazo of Sturgis. Each also was recognized as being Young Farmer District 1 Discussion Meet Participants. Drew Bordner …

Authorities have identified two bicyclists injured when a pickup truck struck them as they rode with two other bicyclists in southwestern Michigan. The Kalamazoo County sheriff’s department says 50-year-old Mathew Sides of Plainwell and 44-year-old Andrea Fore of Kalamazoo suffered non-life-threatening injuries. They were struck Thursday night in Alamo Township. The pickup’s driver did not stop. Valerie Litznerski was among …

Police officers have pulled a man from a Calhoun County river after his car plunged into the waterway. WOOD-TV reports that the car went into the Kalamazoo River in Battle Creek shortly before 1 a.m. Sunday. The driver was out of the car and floating down the river when officers arrived. He told officers that he couldn’t swim. The television station …

An Eaton Rapids man has found the author of a note dropped into a bottle and sent into the Grand River 35 years ago. Nathan Foote found the bottle last week while he was cleaning debris out of the water near the Smithville Dam, the Lansing State Journal reported. It was covered in duck weed and was brown with age, …

A Michigan man who authorities say was trying to return more than 10,000 cans and bottles for 10 cents apiece is avoiding jail time. The Livingston Daily Press & Argus of Howell reports Brian Edward Everidge of Columbiaville was ordered Thursday to pay $1,230 in fines and court costs following his earlier guilty plea to one count of beverage return …

Organizers behind the annual benefit, “Share the Magic,” are looking for a dose of community spirit this weekend, as the fifth annual food and fundraiser takes place Saturday. The 7 p.m. production will be at Colon Elementary School. Admission is a non-perishable item or a financial donation. Rick Fisher, who has a hand in organizing this year’s show, said all …

A group of Constantine residents was treated for injuries suffered in a two-vehicle accident last week in Fabius Township. Sheriff’s officials said 78-year-old Ken Sawyer was driving south on U.S. 131 at 6:55 p.m. Friday when he failed to stop for a vehicle behind a car waiting to turn left into a driveway near King Road. Investigators said Sawyer’s vehicle …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners recently appointed three people to two different boards. Betty Taylor will serve a new term expiring in October 2019 to the Department of Human Services Board. She has served one, three-year term already. Also, two people were appointed to the Workforce Development Board. Allen Balog was re-appointed and will represent the private sector. …

A Kalamazoo man suffering from mental health-related issues was found in Centreville last weekend. Sheriff’s officials said deputies were called to a report of a suspicious man at an undisclosed location. The 39-year-old man had been reported missing for about a week. He was turned over to the custody of his family, according to authorities.

The Centreville Downtown Development Authority is sponsoring a few events Friday in honor of Veterans Day. A veterans pancake breakfast will run 9 to 11 a.m. at the FOP building on M-86 east of town. Mike Wilson, retired National Guard sergeant major, will speak at 10 o’clock. A military freedom walk salute will start at 11 a.m. off Main Street …