Violet May Baldwin, age 86, of Sturgis, passed away Friday evening, January 26, 2024 at the Sturgis Hospital Emergency Room. She was born April 7, 1937 in Three Rivers, daughter of the late Owen D. and Alvena M. (Wischman) Nichols. Mrs. Baldwin resided in Sturgis for over 65 years coming from Three Rivers. On June 29, 1958 she married Jean …

As of this writing, we are experiencing sloppy roads and temperatures in the thirties. Looking out at the lake we can see one lone fisherman. We check on him every few minutes to make sure he hasn’t fallen through a crack in the ice. I’m not a fisherman, and if I was I wouldn’t be out on the ice today. …

A 350-pound black bear that perched for hours in a tree, causing a Mother’s Day spectacle last spring in northern Michigan, was killed by a hunter, authorities said. “It makes me sad, because I was just envisioning it living peacefully in the forest somewhere, thriving as a bear does,” said Ashlea Walter, who was among dozens of people who watched in May …

Josephine Mary “Josie” Schultz, age 74, of Marcellus, died Wednesday, January 17, 2024. Her life began November 22, 1949 in Chicago, the younger of two children born to Daniel and Josephine Schultz. Josie was a good-hearted person.  She loved animals and it didn’t matter what kind.  She was an avid reader, and enjoyed reading anything she could get her hands …

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer called for increased investments in education through initiatives such as free community college for all high school graduates and free preschool for 4-year-olds in a State of the State speech Wednesday night focused on cutting costs for residents. The second-term Democratic governor’s speech preceded a legislative session that may require lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to …

Joan Marlene (Neal) Burkett, age 92, of Mendon, died Monday, January 22, 2024 at Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation in Centreville. She was born in Kalamazoo on January 7, 1932 the daughter of Samuel Wesley Neal and Helen Z. (Wallus) Neal. She graduated from Mendon High School with the class of 1950 and later was certified as a Nurse’s Aide. Joan …

Douglas E. and Shirley J. Lockwood of White Pigeon are now together forever. Both passed away at Skaggs Assisted Living in Burr Oak: Douglas on October 21, 2023 at the age of 88, and Shirley on January 20, 2024 at the age of 89. Douglas was born February 16, 1935 in Three Rivers, the son of Fred and Myrtle (Parker) Lockwood, …

Brett Eric Pointer, age 55, of Niles, died peacefully Thursday, January 18, 2024 at Corwell Health in St. Joseph, Michigan. His life began May 15, 1968 in Niles, the sixth of six children born to Denver Kenneth and Barbara Ann (Gilchrist) Pointer. Brett will be greatly missed by family and friends.  He is survived by two sisters, Lisa (Dave) Seidner …

Walton James “Jim” McCally – Born October 4, 1938 to Grace Ellen (White) McCally and Walton Andrew “Hank” McCally in Three Rivers, Mich., and was raised there, where he excelled playing baseball as a pitcher and graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1957. He passed away at Edgewood Health and Rehabilitation on January 19, 2024 at the age of …

Fire tore through a house in South Bend, killing five children and leaving a sixth in treatment Monday for burns. People, including children, were trapped by flames on the second floor Sunday evening, the South Bend Fire Department said. Five children were pronounced dead. The sixth was taken to a hospital and later airlifted to one in Indianapolis. An adult …