Another postage rate increase is just around the corner. The price for a First-Class Forever U.S. Postage Stamp will increase from 66 cents to 68 cents starting January 21st, 2024. The prices for domestic postcard stamps will also increase by two cents from 51 cents to 53 cents. USPS Ground Advantage prices will increase by 5.4 percent, Priority Mail service …

St. Joseph County Transportation Authority’s “Free Ride Home” program provided New Year’s Eve transportation for 16 people over the course of the seven-hour offer. Agency director Allen Balog said seven rides were given by the Sturgis-based bus, while the rest were by the bus positioned in Three Rivers. The service was offered from 7 p.m. Sunday through 2 a.m. Monday. …

Sturgis municipal officials anticipate a busy year with the opening of a number of new businesses. None bigger than the Watershed project, a large-scale commercial-residential development started earlier in 2023 and well underway in downtown Sturgis. The first floor is planned to be a steakhouse, with the second through fifth floors to be studio, one- and two-bedroom residences. The project …

Lois Ann Knight, age 76, of Lansing, passed away unexpectedly on December 26, 2023 at her home. She was born August 24, 1947 in Sturgis, daughter of the late Frederick P. and Winifred (Ulrich) Knight. Lois graduated from Sturgis High School with the class of 1965 and also received an Associate Degree from Lansing Community College. She had been employed …

Completion of the Three Rivers satellite court campus has been identified by St. Joseph County officials as another achievement to look forward to in the new year. In order to free up space at the Centreville courts building, county officials are refurbishing the former Three Rivers Public Library as the new location for Friend of the Court and Probate/Family/Juvenile Court …

Constantine Village Council members last month approved expanding its Industrial District to benefit a local business. During their Dec. 18 meeting, council members OK’d the expansion proposal for Michigan Milk Producers Association. Village manager Mark Honeysett said the expansion is on property MMPA already owns. It is located at 455 E. Water St. MMPA officials said the property will be …

Jalen Milroe caught a low snap on fourth down in overtime at the Rose Bowl and ran straight ahead into a wall of blue and maize. That wall of Michigan defenders had been hardened by the Wolverines’ violent practice drills. Toughened by two previous College Football Playoff losses. Made impenetrable by months of turmoil that battered the program and its …

Dan Campbell’s passion has been on display since the moment he was hired as coach of the Detroit Lions, famously saying at his opening news conference nearly three years ago that his teams would kick in teeth and bite kneecaps of opponents. Campbell has screamed with joy, and shed tears, after wins and losses. And he has never looked and …

Jerome Alan “Jerry” Crabtree, age 93, of Mendon, died on Sunday, December 31, 2023 at Safe Haven Assisted Living in Hastings. He was born in Mendon on June 11, 1930 the son of Sheridan L. and Marjorie R. (Kirby) Crabtree, and was a member of the Mendon High School Class of 1948. Jerry was the proprietor of Crabtree Realty and …

Annette Lynn Brown, age 82, of Three Rivers, passed away at her home on Saturday, December 30, 2023.  She was born on March 16, 1941 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Cecil and Evelynn (Matthews) Sellers.  She graduated from Galesburg-Augusta High School, and later obtained a degree from Tunxis Community College in Connecticut.  On September 16, 1964 Annette married Ray S. …