Voters will determine whether to place abortion rights in the Michigan Constitution, the state Supreme Court declared Thursday, settling the issue a day before the fall ballot must be completed. Abortion rights would be guaranteed if the amendment passes on Nov. 8.  A 1931 state law makes it a crime to perform most abortions, but the law was suspended in …

Authorities evacuated several homes in a Kalamazoo neighborhood Thursday evening after a ruptured gas line caught fire. Police and firefighters evacuated all homes within a one-block radius of the fire, and police diverted traffic away from the area. Firefighters reported a 4-inch natural gas line ruptured and was burning under ground in a construction zone, the Kalamazoo Gazette said. Gas …

Thomas J. Garman, age 74, of Sturgis, died Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022 at his home. He was born in Cassopolis on July 25, 1948 and was the adopted son of Joseph H. and Wilma R. (Cook) Garman, and was a lifetime resident of southwest Michigan. He graduated from Mendon High School with the Class of 1968. Tom was employed briefly …

M. Linda (Garman) Bowerman, age 82, formerly of Mendon and Kalamazoo, died Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022 in North Carolina. She was born in Three Rivers on June 23, 1940 the daughter of Marlon L. and M. Louise (Warrick) Garman. She graduated from Mendon High School with the class of 1958. She was married to Larry Bowerman on Oct. 14, 1961 …

Even though battery costs are rising, auto companies are rolling out more affordable electric vehicles that should widen their appeal to a larger group of buyers. The latest came Thursday from General Motors, a Chevrolet Equinox small SUV with a starting price somewhere around $30,000 and a range-per-charge of 250 miles. You can get range of 300 miles if you …

David Roger Webb, age 70, of Sturgis, passed away on August 29, 2022 at his home. He was born March 3, 1952 in Sturgis, son of the late Leslie Donald and Susan M. (Christensen) Webb. Dave was a lifelong Sturgis resident and graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1970. He retired from the NCR Corporation following many …

Dewitt L. Grove, age 82, of Sturgis, passed away late Tuesday evening September 6, 2022 at Skaggs Assisted Living in Burr Oak. He was born September 1, 1940 in Sturgis, son of the late Lawrence E. and Mary E. (Littlefield Johnston) Grove. Dewitt resided in the Sturgis and Burr Oak area most of his life and was a graduate of …

Phyllis J. Shipe, age 94, of Sturgis, passed away Friday, September 2, 2022 at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She was born February 6, 1928 in LaGrange County, Indiana daughter of the late William and Mabel (Chrystler) Weirich. Phyllis resided in Wellston for 10 years. Most of her life was spent in Sturgis where she was a graduate of Sturgis …

James William Handy, Jr. passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, August 14, 2022, at the age of 63. He was born on January 1, 1959, in Paris, France. He attended Torrejon Air Base High School in Madrid, Spain, and later graduated from Three Rivers High School with the class of 1977. He served in the United States Air Force from June …

Mary Catherine Timm, age 91, of Three Rivers, passed away Sunday, September 4, 2022 at White Oaks in Lawton. She was born in Marcellus on January 4, 1931 the daughter of Archie Daniel and Ruth Darlene (Mihills) Rumsey. On August 28, 1949 she married John Hirshey, they were married until 1978. John preceded her in death September 9, 2009. On …