A police chief in southwestern Michigan is stepping down following allegations by three female city employees of discrimination, sexual harassment and verbal abuse. Kalamazoo Public Safety Chief Vernon Coakley is on unpaid administrative leave and will retire effective Sunday with a severance package of more than $155,000, the Kalamazoo Gazette and WOOD-TV reported Thursday. Coakley has been with the public safety department for more …

Melora L. Mendelssohn, age 72, of Leonidas, died Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at Fairview Living and Rehabilitation Community in Centreville after a thirty-year battle with multiple sclerosis.  She was born on May 13, 1949 the daughter of Donald D. and Donna (Carkenord) Hiemstra. Formerly known as Bonnie Hiemstra, she was a 1967 graduate of Mendon High School. She was a …

Lois Kathryn Cary (Garber), age 82, of East Lansing, and a former resident of Sturgis, passed away Friday, December 23, 2022 at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. She was born in Manhattan, New York, on June 6, 1940, the daughter of the late Dr. Kathryn Small Garber and Dr. Clarence Zent Garber. Lois’ young life began in an apartment overlooking the …

Vicksburg Village Council members in October announced that nine local businesses would, collectively, be awarded more than $63,000 in grants aimed at property improvements within the village’s Downtown Development Authority boundaries. The first two businesses were to be presented their respective grant awards Thursday afternoon. Historically, the Village of Vicksburg has provided small grant opportunities that were restricted to façade …

Cass County deputies responded to a crash Tuesday in Porter Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly after 4 p.m. to the intersection of Robbins Lake Road and Teasdale Lake Street. Investigators said Richard Shay, 44, of Jones, and his passenger, Rebecca Shay, 43, also of Jones, were traveling north on Robbins Lake Road. Meanwhile, David Ruth, 19, …

Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce officials have announced details related to the annual “State of the Area” government update. The update will take place from 8 to 9:30 a.m. on January 17 at the chamber’s event center, 1116 N. Main St. Local, county and state elected officials are expected to attend and provide brief updates on important local matters. …

Lorraine Ann Marek, age 101, of Three Rivers, passed away Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at Beacon Health System – Three Rivers Health. She was born June 28, 1921 in Chicago, the daughter of Joseph and Rose (Hodek) Spevacek. Lorraine enjoyed volunteering at church as a minister of care, and serving Meals on Wheels. She was a member of SOKOL and …

Michael A. Rehe of Three Rivers, passed away on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at the age of 62. Mike was born on February 25, 1960 in Kalamazoo. He was the son of George and Patricia (Calhoun) Rehe. He grew up on Crystal Lake in the Lawrence area and he loved to go swimming, fishing and hunting. He proudly served his …

Kay Elaine Mayer, age 79, passed away Saturday evening, December 24, 2022 at her home. She was born August 29, 1943 in Sturgis, daughter of the late Victor Henry and Ruth Martha Jenny (Betcke) Andrews. Kay was a longtime Sturgis resident. She had also lived in California, Illinois, Texas, and Indiana. While working at Americraft in Sturgis she met the …

Laura A. Miller, age 61, of Bronson, died on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at her home. She was born May 6, 1961, a daughter of Clifford and Arlene (Stephens) Ditmer Sr.  Laura attended Bronson schools and Kalamazoo Valley Community College. On August 2, 1996 she married Roman Miller in Bronson. Laura enjoyed watching TV and movies, reading, and was passionate …