Happy New Year and welcome to 2023. This year can be anything you want it to be. It’s entirely up to you to make it the best it can be. Because of some of the volunteer work I’m involved in, I receive an over abundance of calendars every year. I have one hanging in my office and most of the …

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was sworn in for second term as the state’s 49th governor on Sunday, pushing a message of unity and working together during remarks on the state Capitol steps as Democrats took full control of the state government for the first time in 40 years. Whitmer, who was first elected in 2018 after serving as a state lawmaker for 14 years, …

Sharon Elaine Woodman, age 61, of Colon, passed away Friday evening, December 30, 2022 at her home. She was born August 15, 1961 in Sturgis, daughter of the late Darwin N. and Mary Lee (Robbins) Woodman. Sharon was a lifelong Colon resident and graduate of Colon High School with the class of 1980. Sharon was a 37 year dedicated employee …

Stanley E. Lake, age 74, proud veteran of the U.S. Navy Combat Battalion serving during the Vietnam War, passed away Thursday, December 29, 2022 at his home. In accordance with his wishes cremation has taken place. No services are planned at this time. The Hackman Family Funeral Homes of Sturgis is entrusted with the arrangements. We encourage relatives and friends …

Jared James Tinsley, age 23, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at his home. He was born December 15, 1999 son of Keith and Kelli (Strang) Tinsley. Jared was a lifelong Sturgis resident and graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 2018. Jared had been employed by the Dairy Queen in Sturgis and Sturgis Hospital. He …

Jeremy Lee Lampeart, age 32, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday, December 29, 2022 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born March 16, 1990 in Grand Rapids, son of Martin Donald and Lynda (Moseley) Lampeart. Jeremy resided in Sturgis since 1995. He had been employed by International Paper and Morgan Olson, both in Sturgis. Jeremy loved time spent in …

Our relationship with sunshine in Michigan is… complicated.   2022 had its hits and misses. A cloudy spring (tied for cloudiest April), a spectacular June, fair July to November, and a very cloudy (but not the cloudiest) December. In December, there were 12 days in a row at Grand Rapids with daily sunshine ranging between 0 and 13 minutes. There were …

A 32-year-old man died after a shooting at a Sturgis business. Authorities said Jeremy Lampaert died after he was shot around 6 p.m. Thursday in the parking lot at Country Hearth Inn and Suites. The business is located at the southeast corner of Fawn River and South Centreville roads. Witnesses said they believe the shooting was the result of an …

Norris R. Youngs, age 79, of Alamosa, Colorado died December 21, 2022 at the UC Health Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs. Norris was born at home in Pipestem Valley Township, North Dakota, the son of Ray C. Youngs and Mildred E. (Marlow) Youngs. He and his family moved to Three Rivers, and he graduated high school in 1961. After graduation, …

Anna C. Bontrager, age 78, of Centreville, passed away on Wednesday, December 28, 2022. Anna was born on January 11, 1944, a daughter to the late Christ S. and Amanda C. (Miller) Bontrager. On September 27, 2012, Anna married Alva Bontrager. Alva preceded her in death on May 19, 2016. Anna had many friends and was a member of the …