Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared a state of emergency for Branch, Hillsdale and St. Joseph counties related to severe thunderstorms and straight-line winds Aug. 11 and 12. This is the second step for county entities to try obtaining state aid for reimbursement toward cleanup-related costs. All three counties had requested a governor’s declaration. By declaring a state of emergency, Whitmer …

New coronavirus cases leaped in Michigan in the week ending Sunday, rising 20.1 percent, as 12,043 cases were reported. St. Joseph County reported 85 cases and zero deaths in the latest week. A week earlier, it had reported 77 cases and zero deaths. Throughout the pandemic it has reported 6,535 cases and 104 deaths.  The positive test rate is 18.8 …

High humidity and hot temperatures are forcing a number of St. Joseph County school districts to alter their daily schedules. Most are switching from a full day of classes to half days for the rest of the week. Colon High School will dismiss classes at 11:20 a.m. the rest of the week, while elementary students will be excused at 11:30. With …

Centreville Public Schools Superintendent Stephanie Lemmer provided an update on the district’s summer-long construction projects. During Monday’s board of education meeting, Lemmer said the roof over the high school gymnasium is currently being replaced. In addition, new scoreboards for the football field and gymnasium were to be delivered and installed this week. The district on Monday was issued its occupancy …

John Franklin Bowersox, age 71, of Three Rivers, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, August 21, 2021 peacefully at his home. John was the son of Raymond and Alma Bowersox. He leaves to cherish his memories his sister, Susan Bloom of Constantine. He had many nieces and nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His niece, Amy Waldrom, helped care for …

Mary Lee (Robbins) Hackenberg, age 80, of Colon, passed away Monday, August 23, 2021 in Colon from an extended illness from congestive heart failure. Mary was born May 18, 1941 in Three Rivers, a daughter to the late Samuel and Marieta (Murphy) Robbins. Mary lived most all of her life in Colon, graduating from Colon High School with the Class …

Rebecca Ruth Mitchell, age 68, of Centreville, is now in the presence of the Lord Jesus whom she loved and served with passion. She passed away on Saturday, August 21, 2021 at Bronson Methodist Hospital. Rebecca was born on January 18, 1953 at home in Centreville, a daughter of the late Hubert LeRoy and Laura Marie (Mishler) Rhinesmith. Rebecca graduated …

Shirley Jean Bogen, age 83, of Bronson, passed away Tuesday morning, August 24, 2021 at Drew’s Place of Coldwater in Coldwater. The family will receive friends from 11:00 A.M.to 1:00 P.M. Friday, August 27, 2021 at the Hackman Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, MI 49091, 269-651-2331 where funeral services celebrating the life of Shirley …

Charles Dean Freimund, age 82, Union, passed away on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at Elkhart General Hospital.  Charles was born in Union on February 14, 1939, son of Clinton and Alice (Collins) Freimund.  He attended Cassopolis Schools.  Charles worked at Real Lite Trailers in Cassopolis for 21 years.  On August 15, 1987, he married Jean Goode in Elkhart.  Charles was …

Thomas John Voorde, age 52, of Burr Oak, died Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born in South Bend on November 6, 1968 the son of James A Voorde, Sr. and Donna M. (Sawyer) Voorde. The family later moved to Mendon where Tom graduated from Mendon High School with the class of 1987. For …