Phyllis Schermerhorn Prather Hanley, age 92, of Atlanta, Georgia, and a former longtime Sturgis and Howe resident, passed away on December 7, 2023 at Phoenix Assisted Living in Atlanta. She was born on her family farm, November 2, 1931 in LaGrange, daughter of the late Raymond and Ruth (Isabell) Schermerhorn. Phyllis is survived by her six children, Susan Prather, Janet …

Hayley Melinda Thomas, age 54, of Sturgis, passed away on December 1, 2023 at the Sturgis Hospital Emergency Room following a hard fought battle with alcoholism and homelessness. She was born October 6, 1969 in Sturgis, daughter of the late Harold and Marcella (Wyatt) Johnson. Hayley lived most of her life in Sturgis, but had also resided in Hillsdale and …

Three Rivers Community Schools Superintendent Nikki Nash earned a rating of “effective” following her annual evaluation. Board of Education members approved the evaluation Dec. 18. Areas in the evaluation included professional practice, student growth and progress toward district goals. Her overall rating was 3.33 on a 4-point scale. The mark is higher than her evaluation score of 3.21 a year …

The first hurdle for a new housing development in Vicksburg was cleared earlier this month. Vicksburg Planning Commission members discussed the proposed Homestead at Centennial neighborhood. It is slated for development on a 35-acre parcel between Trillium Plat and the original Centennial neighborhoods. It is on the west side of South 22nd Street. Allen Edwin Homes is proposing a 118-unit …

Carl M. Bowers, age 71, of Jones, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family on Tuesday, December 26, 2023. He was born in DeKalb, IL on November 29, 1952, the son of Robert and Lois (Morrison) Bowers. Carl attended Glenbrook North High School and was part of the 1971 graduating class. He obtained his Bachelor’s Degree from Northern …

George Ernest Grostick, age 73, of Three Rivers, passed away on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at his home.  George was born in Howell, MI on July 17, 1950, a son of Charles and Sylvia (Kitinoja) Grostick.  He graduated from Fowlerville High School in 1969 and went on to earn his Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Central Michigan University.  George was …

A new monitor/defibrillator is on its way to the Sturgis ambulance network next year. City commission members last week approved $40,000 for the purchase of a Lifepak 15v4 monitor/defibrillator from Stryker Corp. Sturgis Department of Public Safety Director Ryan Banaszak said the fire division was in need of another cardiac monitor for its third ambulance. Since adding the spare/transfer ambulance …

Glen Oaks Community College has announced the hiring of its new executive director of communications and marketing. Denise DeVries is joining the college, replacing Valorie Juergens. Juergens is retiring in January after more than 11 years with the school. A Portage resident, DeVries was previously the senior manager of marketing and communications for Special-Lite Inc., a custom commercial-door manufacturer in …

A nationally recognized coffee chain is on its way to Vicksburg. Details related to a plan submitted by Biggby Coffee were addressed at Vicksburg Planning Commission’s Dec. 11 meeting. Biggby’s site plan was given a green light and will eventually be developed at the northwest corner of East Prairie and North Richardson streets on property vacant for 30 years. Entry …

A 27-year-old man survived for six days on only rainwater while pinned tightly inside his crashed pickup truck beneath a highway bridge in northwest Indiana. His ordeal ended when two men scouting for fishing spots Tuesday afternoon noticed the badly damaged vehicle, its white airbag deployed, and reached inside. “They touched the body, and the person turned their head and …