Clifford Michael Smith, age 56, of Three Rivers, passed away Saturday, January 18, 2025 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born August 28, 1968 in Ionia, the son of Floyd M. and Dulcye M. (Piotrowski) Smith, and graduated from Whitehall High School with the Class of 1986. Clifford served his country in the United States Marine …

General Ulysses S. Grant prevented Robert E. Lee from being charged with treason after the War. The 1865 surrender offered generous terms to paroled Confederate soldiers and officers allowing return to their homes and keeping their horses and mules as farm animals. Grant believed leniency was critical to a lasting peace for this great nation. President Andrew Johnson (17th President) negated …

Sandra K. Miller, age 85, of Colon, passed away at her home surrounded by her family on Thursday, January 23, 2025. Sandra was born on September 23, 1939 in Decatur, Indiana; a daughter to the late Jesse and Lucille (McKean) Burke. Sandra graduated from Sturgis High School with the class of 1957. She then received her cosmetology certification from Tracy’s …

Millard J. “Otis” Bruystens, age 72, of Mendon, passed away on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo.  He was born in Three Rivers on December 13, 1952 the son of Herbert and Barbara (Granger) Bruystens and was a lifetime resident of the area. Millard graduated from Mendon High School with the Class of 1972. He was …

Jean A. Hensell, age 77, of Centreville, died Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at Edgewood Health & Rehabilitation in Three Rivers surrounded by family. She was born January 16, 1948 in Vicksburg, a daughter of Nolan and Betty (Hovarter) Bailey. Jean attended Centreville Schools and graduated from Sturgis High School in 1966. On January 16, 1971 she married William A. Hensell …

Sharon Joan Cummings, age 91, of Marcellus, passed away Monday, January 20, 2025 at her home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born January 7, 1934 in Elkhart, the daughter of George and Doris (Hastings) Rose, and graduated from Elkhart High School with the Class of 1952. Sharon earned her bachelor’s degree from Goshen College and pursued further education …

The case of a deputy-involved shooting this week in Branch County has been turned over to Michigan State Police for its review. Sheriff Fred Blankenship said the incident occurred around 5 p.m. Monday following a pursuit in Algansee Township. The situation started after the driver failed to stop for a deputy on Central Road near Ferguson Road. The 18-mile pursuit …

Sturgis Public Schools is eliminating community access to a student-based clinic in one of its elementary schools. According to WWMT, the decision was made less than a week after the clinic opened Jan. 6 at Eastwood Elementary. Dozens of parents voiced their concerns about those up to 21 years old in the greater community being able to come inside the …

A free, online parenting resource, “Birth and Beyond,” will be available starting next month. Taught by certified childbirth educators, the class is open to all birthing partners and their partners. Areas covered include labor and delivery, postpartum planning and newborn care. Sessions will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m. every Monday in February. Organizers said the classes are most appropriate …

Sandra Marie Davis, age 72, of Sturgis, passed away Monday afternoon, January 20, 2025, at her home. She was born July 20, 1952, in Sturgis, daughter of the late Jarvis Otis and Charlene (Shaffer) Gundrum. Sandy was a lifelong Sturgis resident and graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1970. On May 8, 1971, she married Bruce Lee …