Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday signed a bipartisan package of bills into law to expand voter rights by allowing early voting and early tabulation of absentee ballots across Michigan. The legislation, which resulted from the voter-approved Proposal 2, establishes a website for voters to track when their ballots are received and counted, and requires at least nine days of early voting before …

Douglas Bruce Krugh, age 78, of LaBelle, Florida, died on Nov. 30, 2022. He was born Nov. 3, 1944, in Kalamazoo to parents Bruce and Audrey (Foss) Krugh. Doug was an accomplished musician, playing locally and nationally in bands such as The Falkons, The Frank Sparks Revue, the Debonairs, Country Express and others. He was a skilled billiards player who …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is lifting the No Contact Health Advisory. Residents can again utilize the St. Joseph River for recreational activities. Officials of the Three Rivers Wastewater Treatment Plant had notified the health department that approximately 500,000 gallons of untreated waste water was discharged into the St. Joseph River between Friday, July 7th at 9:30 p.m. until …

Jayne Marie Shearer, age 65, of Grand Rapids, passed away Friday, July 14, 2023 at University of Michigan Health-West. She was born March 2, 1958 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Duane A. and Wilma L. (Teugh) Barnes, and graduated from Vicksburg High School with the Class of 1976. A clothier by trade, Jayne truly enjoyed her work at David’s Bridal, …

Barbara Elizabeth (Hiemstra, Norton) Tokarski, age 92, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 8, 2023 at Edgewood Health and Rehabilitation Center. Barbara spent her early years in Cass and St. Joseph Counties and graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1949. She was part owner of the then Windmill Restaurant, but also worked in many restaurants around …

Brenda J. Burnau, age 74, of Three Rivers, passed away on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born March 28, 1941 in Battle Creek, a daughter to John and Virgie Bernheisel. Brenda married her husband, Jerry Burnau, in Battle Creek on October 18, 1976. Brenda spent her early years in Battle Creek working in a …

A Vicksburg man died in a single-vehicle crash over the weekend in Fabius Township. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman said deputies were called Saturday, shortly before midnight, to an area on Corey Lake Road, east of Knevels Court, in response to a personal-injury crash. Deputies said 24-year-old Triston Bradshaw was driving a vehicle east on Corey Lake Road, where his vehicle lost …

An Elkhart man was hospitalized after he walked into traffic onto U.S. 131 in White Pigeon Township. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman said deputies were called shortly before 4:30 a.m. Monday to U.S. 131, south of Indian Prairie Road, in response to a car-versus-pedestrian incident. Investigators said a 40-year-old Three Rivers man was driving south on U.S. 131 when a 39-year-old Elkhart …

Marguerite Jean Miller, age 98, of Sturgis, passed away Monday morning, July 17, 2023, at her home. She was born October 7, 1924, in Centreville, daughter of the late John and Josephine (Hasbrouck) Bolender. Mrs. Miller resided in the Sturgis, Three Rivers, and Centreville areas her entire life, and was a graduate of Centreville High School. On February 16, 1946 …

It is with heartfelt sadness to announce the sudden, peaceful passing of Charlene Lois (Johnson) Chase, age 90, on January 24, 2023 in Naples, FL, surrounded by her children, Curtis, Sandra and Jennifer, and beloved poodle Hannah. She was born on September 7, 1932, in Oak Park, IL, to the late Frances Ann (Johnson) and Charles L. Johnson, owner of …