A three-member panel of judges with the Michigan Appellate Court has upheld the convictions of a Centreville couple charged in the death of their daughter. The court last week dismissed appeals filed by Anthony and Marsha Springer, who were convicted and sentenced to lengthy prison terms for their roles in the death of 16-year-old Calista Springer in February 2008. The …

Two Sturgis residents were arrested on various charges after they were involved in a dispute last week. According to Sturgis police, officers were called shortly before 1:30 a.m. Friday to the vicinity of North Jefferson and West West streets. Upon arrival, officers noticed both parties had sustained knife wounds. They were treated at Sturgis Hospital. A 25-year-old woman was charged …

Willodean (Swindle) McKenzie, 92, of Fort Wayne, Ind., and formerly of White Pigeon, died Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012, at Saint Anne Home and Retirement Community following an extended illness. She was born Sept. 16, 1919, in Marmaduke Ark., a daughter of Cornelius A. and Tulah Mae (Thomas) Swindle. She resided for a short time in Fort Wayne, Ind., LaGrange, and Sturgis, and …

Dustin “Raze” Pike, age 28, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. He was born Oct. 5, 1983, in Sturgis, a son of Lloyd Pike Jr. and Bonnie Jarratt. Dustin spent most of his life in the Sturgis area and had moved to Grand Rapids in 2008 to work with the 61syx Teknique …

Maxine Schowalter, 93, of Sturgis, died at 6 a.m. Friday, Sept. 14, 2012, at Thurston Woods Village, Sturgis. She was born March 9, 1919, in Hugo, Colo., to Claud and LaVina (Bradfield) Wilson. On May 28, 1942, she married Fred Schowalter in Pueblo, Colo. He died Jan. 14, 2007. Surviving are a daughter, Sheryl (Larry) Gingerich of White Pigeon; a son, …

Edward William Thompson II passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012, in Three Rivers. He was born March 4, 1970, in Petoskey, to Edward and Claudette Thompson of Cheboygan. Edward was raised in Cheboygan and graduated from Cheboygan High School in 1988. Ed enjoyed deer hunting, Steelers and spending time with Eddie and C.J. He worked most of his life …

Delmar E. Keeslar, 59, of Sturgis, passed away Sept. 7, 2012, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, following a long battle with Crohn’s disease. He was born Aug. 13, 1953, in Angola, Ind., the son of Jacque and Lilya Keeslar. On Sept. 8 2000, he married Joanne Keeslar in Sturgis. He was raised in Fawn River Township and lived in …

The Michigan Court of Appeals earlier this week upheld Doug Stewart’s conviction in connection with the April 2010 slaying of his estranged wife. A decision on the matter was rendered Tuesday by a team of three judges in Grand Rapids. The ruling affirmed Stewart’s convictions for first-degree premeditated murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree premeditated murder in St. Joseph County. …

A Burr Oak-area man was sentenced to at least 13 years in jail for a knife attack on his grandmother last year. During his sentencing before Judge Paul Stutesman in St. Joseph County Circuit Court last week, 18-year-old Michael Lorich was ordered to between 13 and 30 years in prison on a charge of assault with intent to commit murder. …

The 162nd St. Joseph County Grange Fair kicks off Sunday. The seven-day event, which averages about 150,000 people over the course of the week, is once again offering a variety of activities and attractions. Though not officially a fair day, Saturday will feature an 8:30 a.m. dog show and 4:30 p.m. poultry show. Sunday’s opening day begins with large-mule pulls …