August’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County decreased by two-tenths of a percent from July. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget was released last week. It showed St. Joseph County’s unemployment rate fell from 5.1 percent in July to 4.9 percent in August. The rate was 6.6 percent 12 months earlier. Meanwhile, Cass …

A Sturgis woman was airlifted from the scene of an accident over the weekend in Sturgis Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies were called shortly after 7:30 p.m. Sunday to the intersection of U.S. 12 and White School Road. Investigators said the 25-year-old woman was driving a motorcycle westbound on U.S. 12 when a car driven by a 75-year-old Indiana …

A motorcycle/deer collision in Sherman Township injured a Sturgis man. Sheriff’s deputies were called around 7:30 p.m. Sunday to Balk Road, near Mintdale Road. Investigators said motorcycle was heading north on Balk Road when it struck a deer. The 33-year-old driver was taken to Sturgis Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities said he was wearing a helmet at the time of …

Doris A. Fitch, age 93, of Three Rivers died Sunday, September 26, 2021 at Edgewood Nursing Home and Rehab. She was born in Sturgis on May 30, 1928 the daughter of Clyde and Caroline (Schaefer) Eicholtz. Doris was a graduate of Sturgis High School in 1945. In 1948, she was married to Donald Fitch in Three Rivers. Doris was a …

Alvin A. “Buck” Starks, age 91, of Three Rivers, died Friday, Sept. 24, 2021 at his home following a long illness. He was born in Thornwood, WV on Oct. 9, 1929 the son of Isaac and Edith V. (Lambert) Starks. He was married to Rose Marie Howe on Sept. 8, 1949 and they resided briefly in Indiana before moving to …

Madelyn L. Leister, age 93, died on September 16, 2021. Arrangements are pending at Eley Funeral Home.

Berdiena “Berdie” Bell Clark, age 87, formerly of Centreville, passed away  on Monday, September 27, 2021 at her daughter’s home in Kalamazoo.   Berdiena was born in Wabash, IN on January 15, 1934, a daughter of Clarence and Esther (DeVore) Black.  She graduated from White Pigeon High School in 1951 and later attended Glen Oaks Community College.  Berdiena previously worked …

Randy G. Martin, age 58, of Centreville, passed away on Sunday, September 26, 2021 at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo.  Randy was born in Sturgis on September 21, 1963, a son of Cleo and Lydia (Hawn) Martin.  Randy graduated from Centreville High School in 1982.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing, and was an avid University of Michigan football fan.  On …

Diana Sue Kirby, age 74, of Constantine, passed away on Friday, September 24, 2021 at Fairview Nursing Home in Centreville. Diana was born in Wilkinson, WV on January 26, 1947, a daughter of Charles and Audrey (Dean) Kirby. She attended school in Whitestown, IN. Diana had many jobs over the years but her favorite was having yard sales at her …

The 2021 St. Joseph County Fair is in the books. The seven-day event concluded Saturday after a strong start Sept. 19. In between, the fair endured plenty of rain, prompting a few grandstand features to be cancelled. Officials said the fair ended on a high note, though, as the weather Friday and Saturday was cool and sunny, and free of …