The University of Michigan and Michigan State University will require all students, faculty and staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by the start of the fall semester. Both university presidents said Friday that action is being taken due to the spread of the more infectious delta variant. Michigan State is taking things a step further and requiring masks to be …

On Wednesday, July 28, 2021, Kerry Duane Andrews, loving husband to Pat and father to three children, passed away at age 71. Kerry was born on October 30, 1949 in Sturgis to Victor and Ruth Andrews. He married Pat on January 18, 2003. He had a daughter, Kari Lynn (Rex) Scare, a son, Jamie (Barbara) Andrews, and a step-son, Dale …

Marie Ross’s time on earth, serving the Lord, was completed on Monday, July 26, 2021.  Her life was filled with many blessings and she happily went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Marie was born to Arthur Louis (Pitchford) and Grace Ida (Lancaster) Storm on December 19, 1929 in Battle Creek. She married Richard Theodore Ross on …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has provided updated figures regarding COVID-19 and its vaccinations for the week ending July 25. Agency officials said St. Joseph County reported 12 new cases and no deaths in the latest week. A week earlier, it had reported eight cases, and no deaths. Throughout the pandemic, the county has reported 6,288 cases and 101 …

Geri’s Resource Center and The Huss School Project have joined to present “Math Camp on the Farm.” The free, hands-on, outdoor learning experience is for students entering sixth and seventh grades. The first session starts Monday and concludes Friday. The second session runs Aug. 9 through Aug. 13. Both sessions are from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Take-home lunch is available …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating the larceny of catalytic converters from two vehicles in Calhoun County. The larcenies occurred between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Thursday at the park-and-ride lot off Michigan Avenue at I-69.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday resumed wearing a mask at indoor events, citing revised guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and a recommendation from Michigan’s chief doctor. The Democratic governor, who is vaccinated, said she does not anticipate reinstating a face covering requirement, though “not in the near future and maybe not ever.” The CDC on Tuesday reversed …

Bruce Leigh Heywood , age 71, of Tampa, Florida had his heavenly homecoming on July 12, 2021 after a brief illness. Bruce was born in Three Rivers on January 11, 1950. He graduated from Three Rivers High School and Western Michigan University. Bruce was an accountant by trade in various manufacturing facilities. He was a member of Bay Hope Church …

A man who stabbed a police dog has been shot to death by a sheriff’s deputy in southwestern Michigan. Deputies were called to a home in Gobles about 7:30 p.m. Monday for a reported assault, the Van Buren County sheriff’s office said. The police dog was sent inside about 9:30 p.m. to force the 39-year-old man out, but was stabbed …

Kenneth E. Cook, age 78, died peacefully on July 13, 2021 surrounded by his wife, children and sister. He was born in Detroit, and grew up in Tennessee and Anderson, Indiana. He met his future wife at Purdue University, while studying chemical engineering. He and Pat (Priscilla Ogren) married in 1962. Children, Chris and Scott, soon followed. Ken and Pat …