Fundraising efforts to upgrade Sturges-Young Center for the Arts are underway, as part of a multiple-year timeline of goals and projects. Sheila Bolda, executive director at Sturges-Young, recently presented an update to Sturgis City Commission members regarding the fundraising campaign. Bolda said long-overdue restroom upgrades, complete with touch-free fixtures, are the highest priority. The facility is hoping to raise between $300,000 …

A man whose defense case brought international interest following a March 2 preliminary exam in St. Joseph County District Court took another turn Tuesday. After it was announced Coby Harris allegedly made phone calls from jail to the alleged victim, he faces another set of hearings March 30 and April 6. Tuesday’s hearing was a rescheduled examination, which began March …

We recently had the opportunity to get Out and About to South Haven. We’ve been there before, but it was during the summer season and was much busier. This time, we traveled west to the city on the lake on a Wednesday. We couldn’t have had nicer weather, although it was a bit windy. After a very nice lunch at …

Floyd M. Summey, age 88, of White Pigeon, died Thursday, March 18, 2021, at Bowman Place in Three Rivers, following a brief illness. He was born May 9, 1932, in Sturgis, a son of Anthony and Frances (Warble) Summey. He was a White Pigeon resident since 1966, member of White Pigeon Lions Club, First Presbyterian Church of White Pigeon and …

James Bruce Erlandson, age 84, of White Pigeon, passed away Thursday, March 18, 2021, at his home, surrounded by his family, after a several-year battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was born Aug. 31, 1936, in Clendenin, W.Va., a son of Ivan and Helen (James) Erlandson. He graduated from Bristol High School, in Bristol, Ind., in 1954. He had a lifetime …

Charlene “Charlie” E. Black, age 83, of Constantine, passed away on Thursday, March 18, 2021.  She was born on April 13, 1937 in Three Oaks, MI, a daughter of Clyde and Kathrine (Stephens) Eichorn.  In April of 1964, she married George Black. He preceded her in death on June 14, 2020. Charlie was a waitress at Village Inn in Constantine, …

A decades-long Three Rivers resident has been selected to oversee the St. Joseph County Transportation Authority. After serving since October as interim executive director of the Three Rivers-based agency, Allen Balog has accepted the position on a permanent basis. Balog’s agreement with the CTA board was formalized last week. During his 10-year stint as a county commissioner, Balog served the …

Four people were re-appointed to the Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Board of St. Joseph County. During their board meeting Tuesday, St. Joseph County commissioners approved Carol Naccarato, Kathy Pangle, Kay Decker and Rick Shaffer to three-year terms. Meanwhile, commissioners also re-appointed six people to the St. Joseph County Transportation Authority Board. They are: Charles Thompson, Bruce Zakrzewski, Sarah …

Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency officer Rebecca Burns, wishes to remind the public there should never be a charge for COVID-19 vaccine. Burns said the vaccine has been purchased by the federal government. In some cases, however, the provider may bill for an administration fee. Anyone receiving the vaccine from the local health department will be billed nothing, not even …

Dianne Marie Coffman, age 81, died on Wednesday, March 17, 2021. In accordance with family wishes, cremation will be conducted, and interment of cremains held at a later date at Lower Flatbush Cemetery. Arrangements by Hohner Funeral Home.