St. Joseph County’s lone representatives in the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s football playoffs were eliminated over the weekend. White Pigeon finishes its season with an 11-1 record. It lost Friday night in a Division 8 contest to Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 54-6. The Bobcats are now 12-0. Meanwhile, in Division 6 action, Constantine had the homefield advantage but lost to …

Unless you’ve been living under a pile of leaves, you’ve no doubt heard about the “Leave the Leaves” movement that’s been gaining in popularity in recent years. The idea is to avoid sending bagged-up fallen leaves to landfills. Instead, we’re asked to leave them be, allowing them to naturally decompose over the winter into nutrient-rich organic matter that also shelters hibernating pollinators and …

Daniel Miller II, age 19, of Three Rivers, passed away Monday, November 6, 2023 in Kalamazoo. He was born October 8, 2004 in Lansing, the son of Daniel Miller and Amy Colosky. A 2023 Three Rivers High School graduate, Daniel earned a full-ride academic scholarship to Western Michigan University where he was studying to become a forest ranger. Daniel was …

Christine D. Feller, age 98, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday evening, November 9, 2023 at her home surrounded by her family. She was born June 4, 1925 in Matteson Township, Michigan daughter of the late Joseph F. and Pauline (Ludwick) Herman. Mrs. Feller resided in Sturgis since 1959, coming from Bronson where she was a graduate of Bronson High School …

Ronald Edward Beebe Sr. who was better known as Gus, age 82, passed from this earth on Thursday, November 9, 2023, and entered the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Although his children are hurting, they are happy that he is finally reunited with the love of his life, Mary. Gus was born January 28, 1941 to Lawrence …

Bradley A. Swoveland age 53, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at his home. He was born January 17, 1970 in Adams County, Indiana son of the late Ted and Shirley (Hartman) Swoveland. Brad resided in Sturgis for over 25 years coming from LaGrange. His early life was lived in Burn, Indiana. He had been employed by Telemark …

Area police agencies seized more than six dozen illegally possessed firearms during a raid on a Sherman Township home Tuesday in the 25000 block of Hiawatha Drive, according to a release from Michigan State Police. No arrests were made but evidence will be forwarded to federal officials and the St. Joseph County prosecuting attorney for possible charges, investigators said. During …

Kellogg Community Credit Union declared its 2023 coat and winter-wear drive a success. KCCU branches in the region – including its Three Rivers site – took in 435 new and gently used winter coats during its month-long drive in October. In addition, 186 cold-weather items were donated. The credit union partnered with local charities and non-profits throughout West Michigan to …

Edward Dean Layman, age 75, of Burr Oak, passed away Wednesday morning, November 8, 2023 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born March 15, 1948 in Sturgis, son of the late Clifford Dean and Opal June (Criswell) Layman. Mr. Layman resided in the Sturgis and Burr Oak area for over 50 years coming from Bronson, where he was …

Mark Allen Hardesty, age 66, passed away on Monday, November 6, 2023 at Optalis in Three Rivers. He was born in Goshen on October 1, 1957, a son to Hurbert Hardesty and Shirley Norton. Mark spent his early years in Goshen, before moving to Elizabeth City, NC. Later he lived in Elkhart for 18 years before finally settling in Three …