The biggest prize up for grabs Tuesday in St. Joseph County was claimed by Nottawa resident Kevin Kane. Kane, 46, was the top vote-getter in the contest for St. Joseph County Probate Court judge. His opponent for the six-year, non-partisan position was Three Rivers native Kelly Ward. Kane will replace 73-year-old David Tomlinson, who has aged out after a 12-year …

Larry Allen Jiles, age 77, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family in Marcellus on Saturday, November 2, 2024. He was born in Bluefield, West Virginia on October 31, 1947, a son to Jack and Gloria (George) Jiles. Larry married Ursula Gruen on June 19, 1993, in Sevierville, Tennessee. They moved to Marcellus in 2006. Larry was a …

Randy W. Bright, of Vicksburg, formerly of Mendon passed away on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, after a brief illness at the age of 67. Randy was born in Anderson, IN and was the son of Joyce Bright. He attended Mendon High School where he enjoyed playing football. During Randy’s life he loved adventure and lived in many wonderful places. Some …

Shirley Karen Zierle, age 84, of Sturgis, passed away on Friday, November 1, 2024 at her son’s home.  She was born in Three Rivers on April 5, 1940 the daughter of Fred and Shirley (Strobel) Oxender.  Shirley attended Sturgis Community Schools and was part of the 1957 graduating class.  She would then continue her studies at Western Michigan University on …

Bertha Bontrager, age 98, of Sturgis, passed away early Sunday morning, November 3, 2024, at Nu-Care Assisted Living in Sturgis. She was born May 22, 1926, in Burr Oak, daughter of the late Joseph and Fannie (Eicher) Carpenter. Bertha resided in Sturgis since 2007 coming from Centreville, where she lived for over 50 years. On October 10, 1953, she married …

Gilbert L. Jones, age 75, of Sturgis, passed away late Thursday evening, October 31, 2024, at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, surrounded by his family. He was born November 26, 1948, in Sturgis, the only child of the late Lee R. and Winnifred E. (Bell) Jones. Gilbert was a lifelong Sturgis resident. On October 2, 1970, he married Patricia Stevens …

Welcome to the month of November. We have a lot to celebrate this month. We started out by setting our clocks back one hour early Sunday. I was thankful for that extra hour of sleep. Election Day is Tuesday. We all had the honor and privilege of casting our vote for those individuals who will lead our government in one …

A Schoolcraft-area man was hospitalized after he was struck by an errant bullet last week at his rural residence. Michigan State Police troopers said the man was working on the roof of his house, near the intersection of West XY Avenue and South Third Street, in southern Kalamazoo County. Meanwhile, a neighbor was involved in target practice and a bullet …

Despite a two-month delay, Centreville Public Schools now has a full-time School Resource Officer in place. Superintendent Chad Brady said the district has been working since earlier this year with the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department to fulfill a goal of having a full-time SRO. Starting today, Deputy Melody Rugg will fill the role. Brady said Rugg’s responsibility is to …

Elizabeth A. Bower, age 86, of Colon, passed away on Friday, November 1, 2024, at Brookdale Assisted Living in Portage. Elizabeth was born on October 20, 1938, in Marshall, Michigan, a daughter to the late Manley and Frances (Noneman) VanVoorhees. Elizabeth moved to Colon in middle school, coming from Mattawan. On February 14, 1959, Elizabeth married her husband of 64 …