State Rep. Steve Carra recently introduced a plan to strengthen the rights of Michigan election challengers, and expand training for election officials and inspectors. Election challengers are appointed by political parties and other organizations interested in observing Michigan election processes. They ensure election laws are properly followed at polling places and absentee counting boards. House Bill 4963 would specify that …

Elena Breiter, the new director at Three Rivers Area Mentoring, said the agency is working on rebooting and updating programs in 2021. She said she is looking for volunteers interested in mentoring, or helping with a youth club or workshop. Breiter said TRAM is attempting to set up partnerships with other local organizations and small businesses to provide valuable resources …

Rebecca Burns, health officer for the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency, passed along a reminder from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services regarding foam collecting along shorelines and at the edge of bodies of water such as rivers and streams. The foam should be left alone as it could contain unknown chemicals or bacteria. Shoreline foam often has …

Nancy Annette Main, age 74, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 6, 2021, at Advent Health in Orlando, Florida. She was born July 12, 1946, in Lansing, a daughter of the late Robert C. and Bonita R. (MacQueen) Lindell. Nancy had resided in Sturgis since 1967, coming from East Lansing. On May 20, 1967, she married Michael D. Main …

A man accused of killing two neighbors in southwestern Michigan told police that he shot them because they were too loud, according to a court document. William Wolfe knocked at the apartment door and shot Virgil Walker, 49, and his wife, Kailey Walker, 30, “without warning,” a Kalamazoo County sheriff’s investigator said in an affidavit supporting murder charges last week. …

Harold Junior Schiedel, age 84, of Marcellus, passed away Saturday, June 5, 2021 in the comfort of his home and surrounded by his loving family. Junior was born in Lawrence, Michigan on September 7, 1936 the son of Harold Junior, II and Jennie Schiedel. On January 14, 1956, in Kalamazoo, he married the love of his life, Shirley Anne Biss, …

Susanna Ora (Kirtley) Robinson, age 93, of Sturgis, went to be with her Lord and Savior early Saturday morning January 2, 2021 at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She was born May 26, 1927 in Detroit, Michigan daughter of the late Edwin and Susanna (Matzo) Koch. Susanna resided most of her life in the Sturgis and Bronson area. She had …

Bertie Lou Nelson, age 92, of Sturgis, passed away early Sunday evening June 6, 2021 at the Sturgis Hospital Emergency Room. She was born March 30, 1929 in Sturgis, daughter of the late Harold “Sam” and Roberta (Radley) Jordan. Bertie Lou was a lifelong Sturgis resident and graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1947. She furthered her …

Michelle Ellen Hughes, age 53, died on Wednesday, June 2, 2021 in Cloverdale, Indiana. Visitation will be held Monday, June 14, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Hohner Funeral Home, 1004 Arnold St., Three Rivers. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home.

Stanley Lawrence Crippin, age 68, of Three Rivers passed away on Friday, June 4, 2021 at Edgewood Health and Rehabilitation. He was born on August 2, 1952 the son of Donald L. and Josephine (Shumway) Crippin. Stanley was a 1971 Honors graduate of Three Rivers High School and a 1975 graduate of Glen Oaks Community College. He earned his Journeyman’s …