Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education members have started the process of filling Scott Swihart’s vacant seat on the board. Swihart resigned from the board of education because of an increase in out-of-town work responsibilities. Swihart’s resignation was effective Dec. 10. The vacant position that the appointed person will fill ends Dec. 31, 2022. The deadline for anyone interested in …

Michigan’s health and education departments on Thursday urged schools to postpone or make virtual large gatherings, including sporting events, if they are not “essential” — as COVID-19 cases spike across the state. The recommendation, intended to keep schools open when classes resume after the winter break next week, was included in a letter to K-12 superintendents and charter school directors. Large events …

Sharon Louise Ruggles, age 74, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021 following a brief illness. She was born in Burr Oak, the daughter of the late Cylas and Jean (Bower) Butcher. Sharon has been a lifelong resident of Three Rivers. Sharon owned and operated her own cleaning business for many years working …

Glen Oaks Community College Board of Trustees has approved a capital-outlay project three years in the making. The board’s vote earlier this month was the final step to set the project in motion. The college’s $7.3 million capital outlay project includes renovation to the north side of campus, including E.J. Shaheen Library, the art studio, classrooms, restrooms and foyer. Also …

Back-to-back storms that devastated portions of St. Joseph County was deemed the top local news story of 2021, according to the Sturgis Journal. Runner-up was a virtual court hearing that went viral. The case garnered national attention, as the defendant was found to be in the same residence of the suspect accusing him of physical abuse. Rounding out the top …

The village of Colon is expecting to see a number of infrastructure and ordinance improvements in the new year. Sharon Craun, village president, said one project includes the installation of two new lift stations, and upgrades to the municipality lagoons and inlet structures. She said the village was fortunate to have been chosen for the Michigan State University Sustainable Built …

Two options for design work at and around the forthcoming splash pad at Thurston Woods Park next year were recently presented to members of the Sturgis City Commission. Eventually, one of the options was selected with further examination set to take place in 2022. City staff has been working with Abonmarche Consultants Inc. on the site plan design for the …

Michigan on Wednesday recorded all-time high COVID-19 case counts, reporting nearly 13,000 a day — almost a third more than the peak set more than a year ago. The two-day average was 12,929, some 3,100 infections above the nearly 9,800 from a single day in November 2020. The explosive growth came as the state already grapples with a fourth, months-long …

Gerald Melville, age 98, of Marcellus, passed away peacefully at home with his family on Tuesday, December 28, 2021. He was born October 20, 1923, in South Bend to Edmund Marshall Melville and Mabel Johnson Melville. He graduated from Three Rivers High School and served in the US Army from 1943 to 1946 and is a WWII Veteran. His first …

Beverly Jean Sherburn, age 79, of Mendon, passed away on Monday, December 27, 2021 at ProMedica Coldwater Regional Hospital. Beverly was born January 16, 1942 in Marcellus to Raymond and Twilla (Oxley) Wright. She graduated from Marcellus High School in 1960. On September 17, 1960 she married Leland Glea Sherburn, Jr. in Roseland, IN. They had been married for 60 …