An annual fundraiser for the St. Joseph County United Way is less than two weeks away. The Mega Raffle, which offers a top prize of $5,000, returns Oct. 10. The drawing starts at 7 p.m. at Covered Bridge Farm County Park. Tickets are $100 each and sales will be limited to 330 tickets. Twenty tickets drawn will be worth $100 …

A Jackson County native has been chosen to serve as Branch County administrator. Frank Walsh, who most recently worked as Meridian Township manager in Ingham County, will replace 18-year veteran Bud Norman, who has retired. Walsh’s previous experience includes administrative roles in the communities of St. Joseph and Cedar Springs. He was chosen from a field of three candidates who …

The Reverend Roger L. Sassaman, age 81, of Goshen and Centreville, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, pastor, and friend, was called to his heavenly home on the Festival of Saint Michael and All Angels, Sunday, September 29, 2024 in the comfort of his family’s presence. His life began July 4, 1943 in Elkhart, the older of two sons born to …

Rosaine “Ruck” Fern James, age 92, of Howe, IN passed away peacefully with her loving family by her side on Friday, September 27, 2024 at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. Mrs. James was born on November 25, 1931 in Muscatine, IA to Philip William and Sarah Jeraldine (Rosenberg) Stark. In 1949, Ruck graduated from Muscatine High School in Muscatine, IA. …

Helen Vienna Haley, age 74, of Three Rivers, passed away Monday, September 23, 2024 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born September 15, 1950 in Leavenworth, Kansas, the daughter of Charles and Virginia (Dixon) Fitzhugh, and graduated from Leavenworth High School. Helen moved to Three Rivers in 1988 and with her outgoing personality soon became a …

August’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County decreased by a full percentage point from July. Figures from the monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget show St. Joseph County’s unemployment rate fell from 6.3 percent in July to 5.3 percent in August. In addition, Cass County experienced a drop in its unemployment figures from July …

An Elkhart man died last week after the bicycle he was operating was struck by a car in Cass County’s Ontwa Township. Chief Douglas Westrick of the Ontwa Township Edwardsburg Police Department said the incident occurred shortly before 9 p.m. Friday on U.S. 12, near Garver Lake Road. Authorities said 30-year-old Austin Carter was riding his bike eastbound when it …

Sturgis Salvation Army officials are appealing to the public for help with a need for donations. There is a need for food items. Suggested items include peanut butter, pasta, pasta sauce, canned vegetables and beans, cereal, macaroni and cheese, box mixes and canned meats. Donations can be dropped off between 9 and 5 Monday through Friday at the Salvation Army …

Here are six things that we should realize by the time we reach the age of 25. However, most people never understand number six until they turn 40: — Life is 100% better when no one knows anything about you. — You shouldn’t take advice from people who are not where you want to be in life. — Everyone will …

Doris E. Anderson, age 87, of Battle Creek, and formerly of Coldwater, passed away on Thursday, September 26, 2024, at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo. Doris was born on March 23, 1937, in Colon, a daughter to the late Emmon and Fern (Tefft) Hackenburg. Doris was a graduate of Colon High School as a member of the class of 1954. …