Welcome to 2012. I’m pretty sure most of us are sitting on pins and needles waiting to see what Mother Nature has in store for us. Judging from the predictions I’ve heard, our winter weather will arrive late and then hit us with a vengeance. I’m happy with what we’ve had so far and wouldn’t mind if it would continue …

Antoinette Ash, 103, of Three Rivers, died Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011 at Riverview Manor in Three Rivers. She was born in Three Rivers on Oct. 24, 1908 the daughter of the late Edgar James and Mary Alice (Speece) Ash. She was a graduate of Three Rivers High School and earned her Bachelors Degree from Albion College and her Masters Degree …

Sherry Lynn Hammond, age 53, of Three Rivers, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011 at her home surrounded by her loving family after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born on May 29, 1958 in Vicksburg, MI. the daughter of Edward and Phyllis (Haines) Hines. Mrs. Hammond has been a lifelong resident of this area. She enjoyed gardening, …

These are the local students named to Southwestern Michigan College honors lists. On the Presidents List is Nicklas Barber, Michael Middleton, Nicholas Neppach of Constantine; Erin Brown, Zachary Gunther, Peter Steinkraus of Marcellus. On the Dean’s List is Amber Fries, Carlos Hidalgo, Kelsey Holmes, Jennifer Jones, Jonathan Morris of Constantine; Derek Bent, Corianne Fisher, Cari Gassett, Robert Ross of Jones; Jessica High, Christine …

The third New Year’s Eve Free Ride Home attracted 36 passengers over the weekend, according to Steve Yorks, executive director of the St. Joseph County Transportation Authority. The complimentary service for New Year’s Eve revelers in St. Joseph County started at 10 p.m. Saturday and ended at 4 a.m. Sunday. Yorks said 20 of the passengers were picked up by …

The weekend’s snowstorm serves as a reminder that a snow emergency in the city of Sturgis goes into effect when accumulation reaches four inches or more. During a snow emergency, no vehicles may be parked on city streets. The measure is put into place to allow snow-removal trucks to clear the streets and treat icy patches without interference from vehicles …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department responded early Thursday last week to an alarm at Klinger Lake Trading Post, at the corner of U.S. 12 and Klinger Lake Road in White Pigeon Township. Officials said the alarm sounded at 3 a.m. Upon arrival, deputies noticed a break-in had occurred but it appears the suspects fled the scene when the store’s …

Glenn Robert Chappell, age 66, of Sturgis, passed away Friday, Dec. 30, 2011, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis.  He was born July 10, 1945, in Mountain City, Tenn., a son of the late Stacy and Jewel (Grindstaff) Chappell.  Glenn had been a resident of Sturgis since 1981, moving here from Tennessee.  On Oct. 11, 1969, he married Patricia Heckler …

Lee Douglas Manson Sr., age 52, of Burr Oak, died Friday, Dec. 30, 2011, at his home.  He was born Dec. 14, 1959, in Hazel Crest, Ill., a son of Emery Lee and Mary Lou (Dekker) Manson. At the age of 14, Lee’s family moved to the Fisher Lake area, where he attended Mendon Schools, and later Glen Oaks Community …

Larry Lee Falkenstein, age 62, of Sturgis, Michigan passed away early Saturday morning December 31, 2011 at the Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation Community in Centreville, Michigan. He was born May 14, 1949 in Sturgis, Michigan a son of the late Donald L. “Jim” and Ethelynn June (Taylor) Falkenstein. Larry was a lifelong Sturgis resident.  For many years he had been …