The Prince of Sophisticated Soul, Will Downing is bringing his smooth sounds to the historic Kalamazoo State Theatre Saturday, December 18. With a career that spans over 34 years and 24 albums, Will Downing is one of the most versatile and loved voices of our time. His repertoire consists of signature interpretations of R&B classics like “I Go Crazy”, “Wishing …

A Coldwater man was injured after the vehicle he was driving was struck by a car that failed to obey a stop sign in Branch County’s Coldwater Township. Michigan State Police troopers responded around 9 p.m. Nov. 2 to a two-vehicle, personal-injury crash at Hodunk Road near Barnhart Road. Investigators said Coldwater resident Armando Ortiz, 24, was driving south on …

Eugene C. “Gene” “Wheels” Wheeler, age 80, of Sturgis, passed away early Sunday morning, November 7, 2021 at his home. He was born June 20, 1941 in Sturgis, son of the late Fred Leroy and Emma (Koehl) Wheeler. Gene was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1959. On May 28, 1960 …

Tonna Marie Grubb, age 69, of Burr Oak, passed away Saturday evening, November 6, 2021 at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. She was born January 26, 1952 in Lansing, daughter of the late John L. and Nancy Lee (Kahlor) Garvie. On July 7, 1979 she married the love of her life, best friend and savior David L. Grubb, …

Eli Schwartz, age 80, of Bronson, passed away Saturday morning, November 6, 2021 at the home of a dear friend in Three Rivers. He was born May 7, 1941 in Burton, Ohio, son of the late Christian “Butch” and Elizabeth (Hostetler) Schwartz. Eli resided in Bronson since 2013, coming from Sturgis. On February 28, 1960 he married Clara M. Mast …

Mario Orlando Vela, age 42, of Centreville, passed away on Saturday, November 6, 2021 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. He was born December 28, 1978, a son of Mario and Rachel (Torres) Vela in Weslaco, TX. Mario graduated from Progreso High School in Progreso, TX. On June 9, 2009, following an 8 year courtship, he married Jesusa Cruz Trevino …

Ruth J. Lilly, age 76, of Burr Oak, passed away Saturday, November 6, 2021 at her home. Ruth was born on December 9, 1944 in Fawn River Township, a daughter to the late Fay and Mary (Sanders) Mathews. Ruth attended Burr Oak High School and would later obtain a GED. Ruth also attended Glen Oaks Community College. Ruth worked at …

Jerry D. Waltke, age 60, of Burr Oak, passed away unexpectedly Friday evening, November 5, 2021 in Burr Oak Township. He was born January 25, 1961 in Sturgis, son of Thomas Eugene and Helen (Wondergem) Waltke. Jerry resided in the Sturgis, Colon and Burr Oak area his whole life and was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class …

Students at Central Elementary School in White Pigeon will be taught virtually this week. The district announced the plan Thursday and it went into effect Friday. The measure is being employed due to a number of positive cases of COVID-19 and contact tracing, resulting in a staff shortage. The school will return to in-person learning Nov. 15. Parent-teacher conferences scheduled …

A “round up” program approved by Sturgis municipal officials in May is underway. Its goal is to help build charitable funds. The plan involves rounding up a customer’s utility bill and is a collaboration between the city and Sturgis Area Community Foundation. City manager Mike Hughes, and Lindsay Richardson, executive director of Sturgis Area Community Foundation, said city residents have …