The fifth annual “Voices of Hope and Recovery,” presented Tuesday in Three Rivers, captured inspirational messages from five people who remain committed to recovering from drug and alcohol abuse. Sponsored by the St. Joseph County Substance Abuse Task Force, “Voices of Hope and Recovery” took place at Riverside Church. Mark Olsen and Mikayla Finnerman, prevention specialists with the county’s Substance …

St. Joseph County commissioners recommended reappointing three people to the county’s Agriculture Preservation Board. During their executive committee meeting Wednesday, commissioners were told the terms for Carolyn Grace, Henry Miller and commissioner Dan Czajkowski are up for renewal. The terms for Grace, who represents the county’s conservation district, and Miller, representing the field of agriculture, are three years each. Czajkowski’s …

The head of buildings and grounds for St. Joseph County is retiring next month, and county commissioners plan to discuss how to fill the position. During Wednesday’s executive committee meeting, commissioners were told that Tim Hochstetler will be stepping down at the end of March. County administrator Teresa Doehring said she has looked at trying to get creative in how …

Warren Junior Fudge, age 97, of Klinger Lake, Sturgis, passed away Saturday afternoon, Feb. 20, 2021, at his home. He was born Jan. 18, 1924, in Lynn, Ind., a son of the late Warren L. and Ethel (Hinshaw) Fudge. Mr. Fudge was raised on a farm in Lynn, where he was a graduate of Lynn High School with the class …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Wednesday her administration will announce the further loosening of Michigan’s coronavirus restrictions in coming days. She did not elaborate much in a news conference, in which she again pressed the Republican-controlled Legislature to pass a multibillion-dollar COVID-19 relief funding plan. A state health department order limits indoor restaurant capacity to 25%, imposes a 10 p.m. curfew …

Rylynn Marie Ditmer, age 8, of Sturgis, passed away early Tuesday morning February 23, 2021 at her home. She was born January 26, 2013 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, daughter of Glen Ditmer and Katrina Collett. Rylynn enjoyed music, Mickey Mouse, laser lights, hearing the clapping of hands and balloons. She is survived by her parents: Katrina and Timothy …

Mary Ellen Eaton, age 86, of Sturgis, passed away Sunday morning, Feb. 21, 2021, at Upjohn Heritage Community in Kalamazoo. She was born Dec. 9, 1934, in Three Rivers, a daughter of the late Jesse “Jay” and Doris (Hess) Baker. Mary Ellen resided most her life in Sturgis and was a graduate of Three Rivers High School with the class …

Charles Wesley Adams, age 87, passed away on Saturday, February 20, 2021 and joined his son, Howard, who predeceased him Dec. 5, 2020. He was surrounded by his surviving sons, Jeffrey and daughter-in-law Trish, and Christopher and daughter-in-law Carrie; daughter Theresa; and grandchildren Nicholas, Mikey, Ashlee, Avery, Riley, Annabelle, Joey and Logan. Three additional grandchildren, Wes, Sophia and Alex, live …

Jessie Lee Bessinger, age 82, of Three Rivers, passed away Saturday, February 20, 2021 at Rose Arbor Hospice. She was born November 12, 1938 in Three Rivers, the daughter of the late Donald and Opal (Dentler) Goldsmith. Jessie attended Three Rivers High School, and after her children were raised, graduated from beauty school. She worked more than 40 years as …

The St. Joseph County Road Commission in Centreville, Michigan announced that seasonal weight restrictions will be reinstated on various roads in St. Joseph County Michigan beginning March 1, at 6:00 a.m. According to John Lindsey, Managing Director of St. Joseph County Road Commission, “weight restrictions are enforced to minimize the damage caused during Michigan’s seasonal thaw. As the ground thaws …