Fire damaged a Sturgis residence last week. Crews were called at 7:30 a.m. Friday to the 800 block of East Main Street, where personnel noticed fire at the rear, exterior portion of the structure. Sturgis Police officers were first to arrive and managed to contain the blaze with hand-held extinguishers. Firefighters entered the home and safely removed a dog before …

Michigan State Police troopers responded to a retail-fraud incident last week in Branch County’s Girard Township. Authorities were called to the Lion’s Den, on Jonesville Road near I-69. Video footage shows a white female in her mid-30s with blonde hair. The suspect was wearing blue jeans with gray thigh high boots and a pink top. The suspect was carrying a …

Robin Alex Nettleton, age 53, of Marcellus, passed away Sunday, January 31, 2021, in Three Rivers. Robin was born in Goshen on September 14, 1967, the son of Richard and Nina (Buller) Nettleton. On January 14, 1991, in Warsaw IN. he married Lisa Olinger, who survives. Robin was a stay at home dad for many years enjoying his children and …

Susan B. Coblentz, age 44, of Burr Oak, passed away Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021, at IU Health University Hospital in Indianapolis. Susan was born May 10, 1976, in Geneva, Ind., a daughter of the late Ben A. and Elizabeth (Graber) Coblentz. Susan is survived by her siblings, Leah (Paul) Shetler of Monroe, Ind., Albert (Sarah Irene) Coblentz of LaGrange, Verena …

Mary Lou Young, age 85, of LaGrange, passed away on Sunday, January 31, 2021 at Miller’s Merry Manor in LaGrange.  Mary Lou was born in Three Rivers on March 24, 1935, a daughter of Audrey and Marguerite (Hoyt) Allen.  She attended Schoolcraft public schools. On October 1, 1954, she married Kermit Young; he preceded her in death in April of …

Dennis L. Bastian, age 80, of Mottville, passed away on Friday, January 29, 2021 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. Dennis was born in Lawton on January 18, 1941.  He served in the US Army.  On December 14, 1963, he married Sharon Skinner in Lawton; she preceded him in death on June 13, 2016. Dennis was employed at Byer’s Barn …

Steven R. West, age 68, of Colon, passed away Friday, January 28, 2021 at Edgewood Health in Three Rivers. No services are planned. Arrangements by Schipper Funeral Home.

Lisa Deann (VanScoik) Barnes, age 58, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 25, 2021 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born February 12, 1962 in Three Rivers, the daughter of Marvin and Wanetta (Postma) VanScoik. Lisa graduated from Three Rivers High School, and later studied massage therapy at Olympia University. She worked for …

Six St. Joseph County firms recently received state-training grants. A total of $39 million in grants from the “Going PRO Talent Fund,” were available, and designed to train and certify new workers. American Axle Manufacturing of Three Rivers received $149,000, the largest grant in the county. Morgan Olsen in Sturgis received $126,000, the second largest. Other local firms receiving grants …

Sophia Ryan, a sophomore at Glen Oaks Community College and Michigan State University Institute of Agricultural Technology majoring in agricultural operations, competed last month in the Michigan Farm Bureau Collegiate Young Farmers Discussion Meet. To compete, Ryan videotaped a 10-minute response to an agricultural-related question. She was selected as a top-four finalist in the state. Ryan then competed in a …