The U.S. Small Business Administration has made low-interest federal disaster loans available for those affected by the March 6th tornadoes. According to federal officials, loans are available for businesses, nonprofits and residents. The SBA also issued a disaster declaration Monday following a request by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. The declaration covers eight counties, including St. Joseph, Cass and Branch. Residents in …

Sturgis firefighters were dispatched shortly after 4:30 a.m. Thursday to a residential blaze in the 500 block of Mechanic Street. According to a department media release, first-arriving crews noticed a fully-involved garage fire that had extended to the home as well as to a residence west of the property. Damage was considerable, authorities said. The garage was completely engulfed, a …

Three Rivers Mayor Angel Johnston issued a Facebook post bemoaning the condition of Michigan Avenue and other state-owned routes through the city. According to the post made Wednesday, Johnston said her vehicle is in need of an alignment due to travel on roadways in Three Rivers. Johnston said most complaints she and city hall field center on Michigan Avenue. In …

Constantine is staging its “Big Trash Days” this weekend. The annual event runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Dumpsters will be available at the village’s DPW garage – 270 W. Johnson St. – where residents can discard their hard-to-dispose-of big items. Each residence is limited to two pickup loads, no item should …

Laura Lee Mejeur (Reynolds), age 61, of Marcellus, passed away on Monday, April 27th, 2026, at her home, following a courageous fight with her chronic illness. She was born on August 31st, 1964 in Wilmington Ohio to Authur Reynolds Jr. and Betty Reynolds. She was raised in White Pigeon by her loving grandparents, Arthur Reynolds and Dorthy Reynolds. Laura attended …

Edith Nan Large, age 84, of Sturgis, ran into the arms of her Savior on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She was born May 28, 1941 at Three Rivers Hospital, daughter of the late Dan T. and Betty Louise (Moore) Bickle. Edith resided in Sturgis for 36 years after having previously lived in Centreville and …

Nancy Ann Hearld, age 78 of Sturgis, passed away early Tuesday morning, April 28, 2026, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born May 8, 1947 in Alliance, Ohio, daughter of the late Walter and Betty (Kaser) Ream. Nancy resided most of her life in Sturgis and was a proud graduate of Sturgis High School, Class of 1965. On …

Gregory “Greg” Eugene Hill, age 62, of LaGrange, IN, passed away suddenly on April 13, 2026.  Greg was born in St. Louis on January 5, 1964 to the late Rev. Norman and Wilma (Leach) Hill, who survives.  Greg went to high school and graduated in 1983 in Perryville, AR. After graduation, Greg moved to Sturgis, where he built his life …

Esther Sue Lowe, age 65, of Three Rivers, passed away on Friday, April 24, 2026.   She was born on October 27, 1960 in South Bend to Arthur William and Betty (Foreman) Challinor, Esther spent her early years in the Riverpark neighborhood of South Bend and at Pleasant Lake near Three Rivers. She later lived in Waco, Texas before returning to …

Richard Ned Wordelman Jr., known to many simply as Richard, passed away on Friday, April 24, 2026, in Kalamazoo, at the age of 75. Richard was born on September 30, 1950 in Three Rivers, and he lived a life marked by devotion, hard work, and a deep love for the people and places that shaped him. He was a true …