Sturgis Department of Public Safety is still accepting applications for its police cadet program. Anyone interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement is encouraged to apply, according to agency officials. Training and experience opportunities include road patrol ride-alongs, assisting with investigations, working with the Youth Explorers program and fingerprinting. Participants are paid $15 an hour. The cadet program is …

A member of the Three Rivers Police Department was recently honored for his role in shutting down an alleged labor-trafficking situation in the city. Sgt. Matt Kilbourn received the Piston Award, an honor bestowed by Homeland Security Investigations. It was presented by Assistant Special Agent Jeremy Pierczynski, from Homeland Security Investigations’ Grand Rapids office. The ceremony took place during a …

Christopher Arnold-Long Harker, age 48, of Nottawa, died on Monday, September 23, 2024 at his home following a brief illness. He was born November 6, 1975 in Kalamazoo, a son of Brenda Long and Ralph Harker. Chris graduated from Mendon High School in 1994 where he participated in wrestling and was a member of the 1993 state championship football team. …

Patricia Jean (Fair) Wragg, age 78, of Centreville, passed away on Monday, September 23, 2024 at Birch Meadows Senior Care in Three Rivers surrounded by her loving family.  Pat was born on July 28, 1946 in Sturgis, the daughter of Robert and Carol (Cook) Fair.  She graduated from Centreville High School with the class of 1964 and recently enjoyed celebrating her 60th …

James A Browne, age 89, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly Monday morning, September 23, 2024, at Parkview LaGrange Hospital in LaGrange. He was born April 27, 1935, in Detroit, son of the late Allen and Julia (Bodie) Browne. Jim resided in Sturgis for the past 36 years coming from Taylor where he served as a councilman for eight years. On …

Virginia L. Slentz, age 66, of Constantine, passed away Sunday, September 22, 2024 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo.  She was born January 14, 1958 in Chicago, a daughter of William R. and June (Banks) Ridge. Virginia graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1976. She was a Quality Control Manager at Alcoa Corporation in Bristol for many years. In 2016 …

Pauline Ann Smith, age 83, of Marcellus, passed away Friday, September 20, 2024 at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born January 24, 1941 in Sagola Township, Michigan, the daughter of Charles H. and Delpha (Beals) Plumley. Through a connection with her father, Pauline met Delbert Smith of Marcellus; the two were married on November 22, 1956. They …

A Cass County man will serve up to 15 years in prison after a passenger in a car he drove died in a 2023 crash. Jones resident Ke-Shawn Gene Buck, 27, was sentenced last week in Cass County Circuit Court. He had previously pleaded guilty to reckless driving causing death. Cass County Circuit Court Judge Mark Herman sentenced Buck to …

Michigan Department of Transportation’s Chris Jacobs has issued an update regarding the second phase of U.S. 131 construction. The project, which started April 15, is concentrated to an area that includes the village of Schoolcraft and an area north to Shaver Road. According to Jacobs, recently completed work includes the rebuild of the east half of the Eliza Street intersection; …

A Branch County man and a pilot from Vicksburg escaped injury after the plane they were in was forced to land on its belly last week on a runway in Coldwater Township. Branch County Sheriff’s deputies said the incident occurred shortly after 1:30 p.m. Friday at Branch County Airport. Robert Coles, 45, of Vicksburg, and 38-year-old Jeffrey Chatfield, a Coldwater …