Centreville Public Schools Superintendent Stephanie Lemmer has proposed a new, five-year strategic plan. During a special board meeting Monday, Lemmer provided a 30-minute synopsis of the plan. Lemmer noted it marks the start of planning new cycle, the second during her 3 1/2-year tenure. Lemmer said a three-year plan she helped incorporate has expired, warranting the need for an updated …

Michigan State Police troopers are requesting information on a vehicle observed leaving the scene of a breaking-and-entering incident that occurred in Branch County’s Ovid Township. Authorities were called to the 300 block of East Pearl Road in response to the incident, which is believed to have occurred in December. A suspect vehicle is described as a mid-90s maroon and tan …

Dennis N. Decker, age 74, of Leonidas, passed away Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at his home. Dennis was born on September 1, 1946 in Sturgis, a son to the late Glenn and Margaret (Snyder) Decker. Dennis attended Colon High School. He would spend the rest of his life living in the Colon area. On September 10, 1966 Dennis married Marsha …

Joseph Arthur Blanchard, age 82, of Sturgis, passed away Monday, Feb. 5, 2021, in Richmond Hill, Ga. He was born May 18, 1938, in Sturgis, a son of the late Alfred A. “Fred” and Naomi May (Boals) Blanchard. Joseph had been a resident of Sturgis most of his life, except for a couple of recent years living in Georgia. On …

On Saturday, February 6, 2021, MaryJean Donmyer passed from this life into glory to join her husband, Dwight, who had passed nearly 7 years prior. She leaves behind two children: Brad (Gwen) and Debby (Leonard); eleven grandchildren: Sarah (Jason), Chelsea (Trent), Hannah, Mariah, Meredith, Adam, Stacy (Jordan), Ryan (Jodi), Zack (Kim), Sara (Shaun), and Eric (Jen); and 14 great-grandchildren. MaryJean …

A 31-year-old Centreville woman was injured in a single-vehicle accident last week in Florence Township. Sheriff’s deputies were called at 7:20 a.m. Friday to Lutz Road in the area of Roys Road. Investigators found that the driver of a northbound vehicle on Lutz Road lost control on icy roads. The vehicle went off the west side of the roadway and …

Seven organizations benefitted from the 2020 Shipshewana Lights of Joy event. In all, $7,000 was distributed to the groups, which received $1,000 each. They are: LaGrange County Habitat for Humanity, LaGrange County Night to Shine, Boomerang Backpacks Inc., Blessings in a Backpack, Elijah Haven, Compassion Pregnancy Center of LaGrange, and The Arc of LaGrange County. The funds were raised through …

The city of Sturgis is asking its residents to monitor their waterlines and consider employing a measure to prevent the lines from freezing. According to a city-issued media release, its department of public services is suggesting residents run a tap of water at a slow trickle to keep water moving through lines feeding from outside to inside. Symptoms of potentially …

Cass County sheriff’s deputies responded last week to a single-vehicle crash in Wayne Township. Authorities said deputies were called at 11 p.m. Feb. 3 to Ruby Road, near Swamp Street. Investigators found a vehicle driven by 26-year-old Joseph Badner was northbound on Ruby Road when it struck a concrete barrier and went over a bridge. Badner was extricated from the …

William Earl “Bill” Schrock, age 78, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021, at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo. He was born Nov. 29, 1942, in Sturgis, a son of the late Miriam and Earl Schrock. Following his graduation from Bristol High School and working in southwest Michigan, in 1967 Bill and his wife at the time, Karen (married …