Four people died and two others were injured Saturday in a Michigan house explosion that could be heard miles away, police said. The explosion happened before 4 p.m. in Northfield Township, about 45 miles west of Detroit. The structure was destroyed, leaving only the basement, Northfield Township Police Lt. David Powell told reporters Saturday. The blast, which could be heard …

Brenda Lee Bertrem, age 65, of Constantine, passed away on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at her home. She was born in Bremerhaven, Germany on April 18, 1958, a daughter of Kenneth and Elsie (Siebel) Hoople. Brenda attended Oregon High School in Oregon, IL. She married Thomas Guentert in May of 1975 in Oregon, IL. He preceded her in death on …

Martha Rae “Marty” Wheeler, age 81, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday afternoon, December 26, 2023 at her home. She was born on March 23, 1942 in Sturgis. Marty resided in the Sturgis area nearly her entire life, and was a member of the Sturgis High School class of 1960. On May 28, 1960 she married the love of her life …

Garry Lee Rawlings, age 87, of Howe, Indiana passed away unexpectedly late Monday evening, December 25, 2023 at his home. He was born January 7, 1936 in Jacksonville, Illinois son of the late John and Gertrude (Oxley) Rawlings. Garry resided in Howe since 1981 coming from Sturgis where he lived for many years. His early life was spent in Franklin, …

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 …