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 …

Joshua Joseph Shudell, age 45, peacefully left this earth on All Saints’ Day, Wednesday, November 1st, 2023. He was born on October 12, 1978 in Landstuhl, W Germany. Josh was a son, brother, uncle, father and friend. Josh was full of life, passionate, caring, funny and wore his heart on his sleeve. Josh was the type of person that would …

Incumbent Tom Lowry was elected to serve two more years as mayor of Three Rivers. Unofficial results of Tuesday’s election show Lowry earned 479 votes. His challenger, Vernis Mims Jr., captured 428 votes. Lowry has served as the city’s mayor for 26 years. Meanwhile, all three incumbent city commission members were re-elected to two-year terms. First District incumbent Pat Dayne …

Constantine Township received the green light to create a special-assessment district in support of fire protection and ambulance service. The request received 124 yes votes to 97 opposed. Full details of how the half-mill will be allocated is to be a topic of discussion this morning during a special meeting by township officials. The township’s other request, which would have …

Burr Oak Community Schools taxpayers Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a renewal request centering on a sinking fund. Renewal of a nearly 3-mill amount came in the form of 127 votes in favor to 35 against. Projected to raise about $160,000 annually over the course of its four-year life, the newly approved sinking fund will take effect in 2025. District officials said …

About 200 people have been laid off at Pfizer’s facility in Portage, the company confirmed. The laid-off employees were notified last week, according to MLive. A lower demand than what the company expected for its COVID-19 products was stated as the culprit. The product Comirnaty is Pfizer’s vaccine to prevent COVID-19 in people 12 years and older. Paxlovid, meanwhile, is …

Loren M. Keely, age 61, of Colon, passed away on Monday, November 6, 2023, at Ascension PIPP Hospital in Plainwell. Loren was born on October 29, 1961, in Goshen, a son to the late Martin and Mary (Borntrager) Keely. Loren attended Centreville High School and graduated with the class of 1981. Loren worked on the line at Secure Domes and …

Patricia Jane Strang, age 92, of Sturgis, was surrounded by her family when she passed away peacefully Sunday afternoon, November 5, 2023 at her home. She was born March 19, 1931 in Sturgis, daughter of the late Glenn and Mildred (Zabel) Blossom. Mrs. Strang was a lifelong Sturgis resident and graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1949. …