During SERVPRO’s 51st Annual Convention – the company’s first “virtual” convention – top company representatives recognized the extraordinary performance of SERVPRO of Cass & St. Joseph Counties with the CHAIRMAN’S Bronze award. Originally scheduled for July 5-9 in Boston but reformatted due to restrictions and concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the online event kicked off with a live Opening Night …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was unreceptive Tuesday to Republican-passed legislation that would require public schools to offer in-person instruction to students in kindergarten through fifth grade amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Democratic governor’s comments came after several districts announced they would start the academic year solely with distance learning regardless of whether Whitmer moves the rest of Michigan into phase five …

Joshua David Batten, age 31, of Mendon, completed his earthly journey on Friday, July 24, 2020 while vacationing with his family in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Josh’s passing was unexpected and has left a hole in the hearts of the numerous people who were blessed to call Josh their loved one and dearest friend. Josh was born on June 23, 1989 …

Police in southwestern Michigan said two brothers who were electrocuted when the mast of the sailboat they were moving hit a power line, were in stable condition Sunday at an Indiana hospital.  Emergency personnel were called to the scene after Austin Francis, age 31, of Kalamazoo and Cassopolis, and his brother Lane Francis, age 19, of Cassopolis, were accidentally electrocuted. …

Travis Walter Robert Hewitt, age 35, a lifelong resident of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly at home on Thursday, July 23, 2020. He was born April 12, 1985 in Sturgis, a son to John and Linda (Pierce) Hewitt. Travis had been employed at Atlantic Packaging in Sturgis and he enjoyed anything to do with computers, gaming, breaking codes, and even building …

Back in the fifties there was a popcorn stand at the intersection of West Michigan Avenue and Main Street. With the traffic we have now, it would be difficult to have that popcorn stand at that location. For you popcorn lovers out there, here is some good news. That same popcorn stand is now located in Scidmore Park next to …

Allen L. Hook, age 35, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly Monday, July 20, 2020, at the Sturgis Hospital emergency room. He was born Oct. 11, 1984, in Kalamazoo, a son of Harry Hook and Cheryl Chapman. Allen has resided in Constantine, Mendon and Sturgis all his life and had been employed by Markline Industries, Forest River, Clayton Homes and currently …

Wendy Sue Birkhold, age 54, of Centreville, died while surrounded by her family on Friday, July 24, 2020 at her home. She was born in Kalamazoo on Nov. 17, 1965 the daughter of Michael and Susan (Dolhay) Birkhold, Sr. She attended Comstock and Portage Northern Schools and has resided in St. Joseph County the past 30 years. Wendy provided cleaning …

Dr. Ilze K. Schwartz, age 85, of Three Rivers, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. Ilze Knezinskis was born May 22, 1935 in Aluksne, Latvia, the only daughter of Dr. Jekabs and Zenta (Strautzels) Knezinskis. Along with so many others, the family fled after the Soviet Occupation during World War II, arriving at a Displaced Persons’ Camp …

Annmarie E. Freeland, age 74, a longtime Kalamazoo resident passed away Wednesday, July 22, 2020 at The Fountains at Bronson Place. She was born January 17, 1946 in Westfield, Massachusetts a daughter to the late Glenn and Edith Price. Annmarie received her Master’s Degree from Western Michigan University and had worked for the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners and the …