Norby R. Ortmann, age 85, of Sturgis, passed away late Wednesday evening, March 21, 2012, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. He was born Aug. 15, 1926, in Detroit, a son of Frank and Agnes (Jesch) Ortman. Mr. Ortmann resided in Sturgis since 1960 coming from East Detroit. On July 24, 1948 he married Rita Strzalkowski at the Sweetest Heart …

Deputies from the Cass County Sheriff’s Department responded to a report of a breaking and entering at 7 a.m. Friday last week at Marcellus Elementary School. It was discovered that the school, an outside greenhouse and the concession stand had been vandalized and items taken, including electronics and a small amount of money. Marcellus School officials stated that repairs from …

A well-received component to the annual Three Rivers Water Festival will return in 2012 following a six-year absence. Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners this week approved “Bratfest,” which is to be in operation during the Friday and Saturday of the Water Festival. Rick Daniels, chairman of the Bratfest, told the commission during Tuesday’s meeting that he headed up the attraction …

Members of the Colon Village Council last week agreed to an increase in sewer and water rates. The 3.5 percent hike for the utility services was to go into effect this week. Village officials said the modification was necessary to offset an increase in its costs following a long-negotiated agreement with Colon Township and the Colon Fire and Rescue squad. …

Dorothy L. Pagels, age 95, of Centreville, passed away Wednesday March 21, 2012 at the Sturgis Hospital She was born on February 2,1917 in Sturgis to Albert and Nettie( Mingus) Pagels. Dorothy attended the Todd Rural School on Findley Road and graduated from Sturgis High School in 1935. She was employed at St. Joseph County Dept. of Social Services in Centerville for …

Lovina Borkholder-Miller, age 76, of Centreville, passed away peacefully Thursday, March 22nd, 2012 into the arms of Jesus after struggling with cancer for 4 years. She was born in Elkhart County, IN on November 6, 1935 to Jacob J. and Lizzieann Borkholder. At an early age her family moved to the Nottawa, MI area. She attended school in both Indiana and Michigan. …

William Donald (W.D.) Reynolds, age 72, of Burr Oak, passed away Tuesday afternoon, March 20, 2012, at Sturgis Hospital, with his son, sisters, stepdaughter, grandson and friends by his side. He was born Nov. 3, 1939, in Hillsdale, a son of the late Robert Leon and Danelda (Wilmer) Reynolds. W.D. resided in Sturgis since 1982, coming from Hillsdale County. He …

Area fire departments wish to remind residents that due to the mild winter, vegetation is unusually dry for this time of year. As a result, the risk of grass fires is especially great. Fire officials in White Pigeon and Constantine stated that they believe discarded cigarettes triggered grass fires Tuesday in Constantine and property surrounding a residence on Mintdale Road. …

The Constantine Public Schools Board of Education has taken on changes at the state level that allow school districts to extend the terms of board of education members from four to six years. The matter was approved earlier this week by board members. Those in favor of the revised term length said the option provides more stability than what is …

The number of births in St. Joseph County in 2011 exceeded the number of deaths, according to data provided by County Clerk Pattie Bender. Bender, the county’s most tenured employee with more than 41 years of employment, presented her annual report Tuesday to the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. Bender said 717 people were born in the county in …