St. Joseph County authorities have identified the Sturgis man who died in a traffic collision last week in Florence Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said Florin Gavril Olarean, 47, died after the motorcycle he was driving was struck by a Ford F-150 at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in an area on Lutz Road near Dickinson Road. Investigators said Olaraen was driving a …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating a motor vehicle theft that occurred last week in Constantine Township. Investigators said the incident occurred between 7 p.m. Friday and 7 a.m. Saturday. The vehicle was taken from a residence in the 15000 block of Connie Street. It is a 2004 Mercury Monterey, bronze in color and has a broken reverse light on …

Jill Marie (Hostetler) Moran, age 54, of Elkhart, died on Thursday, July 22, 2021 at Parkview Medical Center with family at her side. She was born July 26, 1966 in Elkhart, a daughter of Victor and Joyce (Howard) Hostetler. Jill graduated from Constantine High School in 1984 and attended Grand Valley State. On July 13, 2013 she married Phillip Moran …

Charles D. Willer, age 84, of Sand Lake, Sturgis, passed away early Sunday morning May 2, 2021 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born February 16, 1937 in Sturgis, son of the late Harry and Leone (Robertson) Willer. Charlie resided his entire life in Sturgis and Sand Lake and was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the …

If you are a pet owner, the chances are you have at least ten or twelve pictures of that non-human member of your family. Here is your chance to share that picture with the rest of the world. The St. Joseph County Animal Rescue Fund (ARF) is bringing back its “Cutest Pet Picture Contest”. This contest will be held at …

Elected officials in a conservative Michigan county who gave themselves bonuses of $65,000 with federal COVID-19 relief aid said they will return the money following days of criticism. Shiawassee County commissioners acted after the prosecutor said the payments were illegal, The Argus-Press reported. The Michigan Constitution bars additional compensation for elected officials “after services had already been rendered,” prosecutor Scott Koerner said Friday. …

Susie Mae McKay, age 86, of Kalamazoo, died Friday, July 23, 2021 at Medilodge of Westwood where she had resided the past year. She was born in Huntsville, AL on March 25, 1935 the daughter of the late John L. and Eunice (Lang) Dempsey. She was married to Kenneth Wayne McKay in Georgia on Dec. 19, 1954. He died on …

Nickolaus A. Casey, age 29 of White Pigeon, died on Friday, July 16, 2021. Visitation will be from 12:00 Noon to 4:00pm Thursday, July 22, 2021 at The Farrand Funeral Home in White Pigeon where Service willbegin at 4:00 PM.  Cremation will follow.

Florin Gavril Olarean, age 47, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday afternoon, July 20, 2021 in White Pigeon Township due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He was born May 14, 1974 in Marginea, Suceava, Romania son of Ion and Aurelia (Maitian) Olarean. Florin came to the United States in 1990 and resided in Sturgis since 1997, coming from Colon. …

Members of the Constantine Village Council have approved an engineering service agreement for its proposed waste-treatment plant. Company officials from engineers Fleis & VandenBrink said the village’s new sewer plant is expected to be in operation by January 2024. Engineer Jeff Pugh said engineering and legal expenses for the new plant could cost up to $1 million in the next …