The YMCA of Greater Michiana Board of Directors has announced a partnership with Benton Harbor-based Abonmarche Consultants to develop a facility master plan for the Y’s Camp Eberhart in Fabius Township. Mark Weber, CEO of YMCA of Greater Michiana, said many old and historic buildings on Camp Eberhart’s property need to be preserved and renovated. Weber said there is a …

Michigan’s weekly number of people getting an initial COVID-19 shot rose for the third straight week after having consistently dropped for two months. The increase coincided with the spread of the delta variant — the most contagious coronavirus mutant yet — and a $5 million state sweepstakes designed to incentivize vaccinations. There were about 41,000 first-dose immunizations last week, the most since …

Michael Edward Keenum, age 71, of Cassopolis, passed away Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at Borgess Ascension Hospital of Kalamazoo. Michael was born in Inglewood, California on August 22, 1949 the son of Harold Jean Keenum and Betty (Sinkular) Hall. On April 20, 1979, in Orland Park, Illinois he married the love of his life Kathleen Mary (Hahn) Keenum, who survives …

Jo Anne Medley, age 81, of Payne, Ohio passed away peacefully in the late morning hours Saturday, July 31, 2021 at Hearth & Home, Van Wert, Ohio. Jo Anne was born in Sturgis on March 24, 1940, a daughter of the late Edith (Gable) Gravit and Ronald Rawles. She was a beautiful woman, inside and out. Liked by many, disliked …

A Sturgis woman was sentenced to probation and ordered to pay restitution for embezzling more than $180,000 from a Three Rivers real estate company. Jill Schmidt, 46, will be on probation two years for embezzling more than $183,000 from her former employer, REMAX Elite Group, where she had worked for 14 years. She was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Paul …

Marie A. Grams, age 71, of Coldwater, and a former longtime resident of Sturgis, passed away Saturday morning, July 31, 2021 at the Laurels of Coldwater. She was born September 24, 1949 in Sturgis, daughter of the late Marvin and Margaret Schraeder. Marie resided most of her life in Sturgis and was a homemaker. She is survived by her son: …

Park Township voters Tuesday approved a half-mill proposal for road-related projects. The four-year millage was supported, 186 to 132, according to township supervisor Ed English. Township officials said the request is expected to generate more than $72,000 annually through 2024. English said Marcellus Road, Lang Road and a portion of Hutchinson Road will likely be the first routes to receive …

Nearly half of Michigan residents live in counties where the federal government is urging everyone ages 2 and over, including the fully vaccinated, to wear masks in public indoor settings because transmission of the coronavirus is “high” or “substantial.” The guidance affected 33 of 83 counties as of Monday — including large ones such as Oakland, Macomb and Ingham — up from …

An official resigned as chairman of a county board in Michigan, the latest fallout from his decision to give himself a $25,000 bonus with federal COVID-19 relief money and reward others in the community. Jeremy Root will remain one of seven Shiawassee County commissioners but will no longer lead the board. “This whole county government needs major reform. … The integrity of …

Vickie Jean Austin, age 71, of Three Rivers, passed away suddenly on Friday, July 30, 2021 at her home. She was born on June 11, 1950 in Lansing, the daughter of the late Joseph and Jean (Harmon) McKenzie. Vickie Jean graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1968. She worked for many years in the sales and retail service at …