St. Joseph County Prosecutor David Marvin said a plea agreement and sentence have been worked out regarding the suspect allegedly involved in the October 2021 death of a Colon woman. Michael Lafler, age 37, of Colon, will be sentenced in June to a maximum of 15 years in the strangulation death of 33-year-old Chelsea Wallen. Marvin said he and defense …

A Mendon woman faces drug-related charges following a traffic stop last week in Sturgis Township. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman said deputies stopped a vehicle shortly after 10 a.m. Thursday on South Centerville Road, near Fawn River Road. Deputies were suspicious of the driver and requested the services of the Sturgis Police K-9 unit. With the assistance of the K-9 unit, deputies …

Sturgis High School’s manufacturing class brought home eight first-place finishes during a recent state competition. The latest Michigan Industrial Technology Education Society, in fact, saw the Sturgis team bring home more award-winners than any other participating school. Led by instructor Jeff Wanamaker, the class bested Sturgis’ six state champions it claimed in 2019. The goal of the MITES competition is …

This week we celebrate Memorial Day. It’s more a day of remembrance than a day of celebration. On this day we remember those members of our Armed Forces who have passed, whether in an armed conflict or in peacetime. Memorial Day is also recognized as the first day of summer, even though summer doesn’t actually begin until next month. Beginning …

Bonnie Jean Bradley, age 74, of Vandalia, passed away Friday, May 26, 2023 at home. She was born in Boston, Massachusetts on February 15, 1949 the daughter of Arthur Earl Lehew and Edith L. Lehew (Sprauge). On April 6, 1968, in Marcellus she married Jerry Arthur Bradley who survives her in death. Bonnie was a business owner of the Village …

Robert W. Sult Sr., age 76, of Three Rivers, died on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital. He was born October 25, 1946 in Elkhart, a son of Walter and Helen (Mishler) Sult. Robert graduated from Centreville High School in 1966 where he participated in track and field. On April 12, 1997 he married Vickie Linn in …

William Russell Smith, age 71, 0f Mendon, died Friday, May 26, 2023 at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born in Battle Creek on May 10, 1952 the son of Benjamin and Helen Louise (Rowley) Smith. Bill attended Athens High School before joining the U.S. Army. He served in Viet Nam and was awarded the Viet Nam Service and …

Linda Lee Perkins, age 84, of LaGrange, died Monday, May 22, 2023, at her home. Linda was born on August 16, 1938, in Sturgis to L. Roger and Lillian M. (Spears) Perkins. Living most of her life in the area, she worked from 1967-1993 at Kirsch Company in Sturgis. Linda enjoyed camping, traveling, and riding in her dune buggy. For …

Dwight A. “Butch” Ames, age 73, of Mendon, died unexpectedly on Thursday, April 6, 2023 at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo.  He was born in Three Rivers on March 31, 1950 the son of Claude Ames, Sr. and Amy Maxine (Parker) Ames, and attended Three Rivers Schools.  He was married to Sandra Mae Tase on June 15, 1968 in Three …

Nadine Ann Brown, age 68, of Constantine passed away Tuesday, May 23, 2023 in her home where her loving family had been caring for her. She was born September 21, 1955 in Grand Rapids, the daughter of Gary and Bettie (Welburn) Brown. Nadine was a feisty, creative woman who loved arts and crafts, elephants, baking, her children, family, friends and …