Robert (Bob) Wayne Cooper, age 62, of Battle Creek, passed away Monday May 6, 2024, surrounded by his family members at Bronson Hospital in Battle Creek. Bob’s life began October 18, 1961, in Norfolk, VA, the son of Richard Thomas and Patricia Ann (Flynn) Cooper. As a young boy, Bob grew up in Jones, MI after his family moved from …

Fifth District Congressman Tim Walberg toured tornado-damaged areas of Branch and St. Joseph counties Friday morning, promising to provide whatever help the state needs to get families back on their feet. Walberg spent a good share of his time in the area looking over damage in Branch County’s Sherwood Township. Walberg said he and others in Congress approved disaster aid …

Three Rivers Police Department has released names of the suspect and victim in a fatal stabbing incident earlier this month. Deputy Chief Sam Smallcombe said Michael Lamar Taylor, a 46-year-old Three Rivers resident, was arraigned last week and faces one count of murder in the death of Ervan Leroy Taylor, 61. The incident occurred the night of May 5 in …

Eastwood Elementary School Principal Mike Miller has been selected as principal of Bronson Junior/Senior High School. Sturgis school officials announced the personnel move last week. Miller joined Sturgis Public Schools in 2006, where he spent eight years as a teacher, three years as an assistant principal and, since 2017, as principal of Eastwood. In 2021, Miller earned Principal of the …

St. Joseph County Animal Control was the benefactor of a significant gift left in the will of a Colon couple. St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department Capt. TJ Baker said $10,000 was bequeathed to the Centreville-based agency by Karla Wilson and her husband, Robert “Pat” Wilson. Karla, a Colon High School alumna, passed away at age 67 in November 2022, while …

A few rules to remember, when out riding bicycles: Bikes are not permitted on the sidewalk in the downtown business district. If you must use the sidewalk, walk your bicycle. Bicyclists are bound by the same rules as motor vehicles. This means that you must stop at all intersections where stop signs are installed. The same goes for traffic lights. …

Ann Donnelly of Fisher Lake, passed away at the age of 90 on May 5, 2024 in her home and with her family by her side. She was born in An Siléar Rosmuc, County Galway, Ireland, on June 28, 1933, the fifth of 14 children born to John Nee and Bridget Walsh. Ann Nee grew up in the Gaeltacht (Irish …

James S. Mathews, age 76, of Kalamazoo, passed away at his home on Monday, May 6, 2024, surrounded by loved ones. He was born in Chicago, the son of the late Dr. John and Wilma (Wasser) Mathews. He was raised by his grandparents James and Lena Mathews along with his father and stepmother, Shirley. At a young age he moved …

Dolores A. “Dee Dee” Wise, age 88, of Sturgis, passed away early Thursday morning, May 9, 2024 at the Center for Hospice Care Esther House in Elkhart. She was born July 20, 1935, in Battle Creek, a daughter to the late Fahm and Dorothy (Crocker) Mahmet. Dee Dee resided in Sturgis since 1978 coming from Battle Creek where she was …

Branch County Prosecutor’s Office has cleared officers involved in the shooting of a Sturgis man last summer. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman said a review of the case, which also involved input from Michigan State Police, concluded that the shooting death of 30-year-old David Algarin Jr. was justified. Investigators said Algarin led law-enforcement officials on a pursuit Aug. 6 that concluded in …