Flags in Sturgis are flying at half-staff today to honor a former mayor, Don Easterday. Easterday, 84, passed away Thursday. He served as mayor from 1988 through 1992. City offices will close at 3:30 p.m. today so employees may attend Easterday’s funeral.

A crowd of about 150 people attended Saturday’s annual St. Joseph County Lincoln Day banquet at the Sturges-Young Auditorium, in Sturgis. U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers delivered the keynote speech, which focused on the shortcomings of President Obama and underscored the need to vote for Republican candidates in the November general election. Congressman Fred Upton also gave a brief speech during …

Three Rivers Health and its fitness center, HealthTRAC, have announced the 13th annual Triple Creek Dash. The event starts at 9 a.m. April 14. Check-in and same-day registration begins at 7 a.m. The race course will include the neighborhood surrounding the Three Rivers Health campus, bounded by U.S. 131, Michigan Avenue, Broadway Street and the St. Joseph River. The event …

The Kalamazoo Wings, proud member of the ECHL, two-time defending North Division Champions, reigning Eastern Conference Champions and National Hockey League affiliate to the Vancouver Canucks and New Jersey Devils and American Hockey League’s Albany Devils, announce the recipients of the 2010-11 K-Wings Team Awards. The awards were presented following the K-Wings home game tonight versus the Cincinnati Cyclones at …

The Kalamazoo Wings exploded for four goals in the second period on their way to a 6-1 victory over the Cincinnati Cyclones on Sunday afternoon at Wings Stadium. With the puck behind the net, Ondrej Roman found Mathieu Aubin sliding in front for a quick pass and goal 12:58 into the opening period. Bouncing back nearly two minutes later, Kory …

Marion Bernice Burlingame, 95, of Three Rivers died Thursday, March 22, 2012 at her home. She was born in Minneapolis, Minn, on Aug. 26, 1916, the daughter of Harry Douglas and Willa Mae (Wylie) Bostwick. Marion was a homemaker who also worked as a receptionist at Dr. Dana’s office in Kalamazoo. She was a Day Care Center volunteer and also …

Joyce Hitchcock-Hackenberg-Thompson, 63, of Three Rivers, passed away on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at Rose Arbor Hospice Facility, following a courageous battle with cancer. She was born on Oct. 2, 1948 in Paw Paw, the daughter of Raleigh “Hambone” and Imogene (Salyer) Hitchcock. Joyce has been a long time resident of Three Rivers. She was a member of Three Rivers …

Donald E. Easterday, age 84, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday afternoon, March 22, 2012, at his home. He was born Oct. 28, 1927, in Columbus, Ohio, a son of the late Edwin and Sylvia (Griffith) Easterday. On Sept. 20, 1950, he married Carol Townsend in Columbus. Donald was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving during World War II, earning …

Erasing a three-goal third period deficit, the Chicago Express scored four unanswered goals to defeat the Kalamazoo Wings 5-4 Saturday night at the Sears Centre. Needing only 26 seconds to get on the scoreboard, Dwight Helminen’s (6th) wrister from between the circles gave the K-Wings a quick 1-0 advantage. Scoring in similar fashion later in the period, Helminen (7th) netted …

Despite outshooting the Chicago Express 42-23, the Kalamazoo Wings could not dig themselves out of a three-goal deficit as they lost 4-3 Friday night. Flying out of the penalty box following a four-on-four, Kory Karlander (17) stole the puck in the Express zone and ripped a slap shot over Rob Madore 3:10 into the contest to give the K-Wings an …