Chuck Hamlin of LaGrange, and formerly of Sturgis, passed away Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, at the age of 69. Chuck was born Feb. 14, 1951, in South Haven. He was the son of Harley and Beverly (Wickham) Hamlin. Chuck graduated from Paw Paw High School with the class of 1969. After high school, he married the love of his life, …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer activated the National Guard, the state police continued to augment its presence at the Capitol and crews installed a 6-foot, chain-link fence around the 142-year-old building before expected protests ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration. The Legislature on Friday also canceled session next week, citing law enforcement’s concerns about “credible threats regarding events” at the Capitol. Michigan …

Gary Dean Summey of Fort Myers, Fla., passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, following some recent health challenges. He was 78 years old. Gary was born in Burr Oak, the proud son of Laura L. (Milliman) and Junior G. Summey. In 1960, he graduated from Burr Oak High School where he …

A teenager who was 13 when accused of killing another youth in northern Indiana was sentenced Thursday to 63 years in prison. Alphonso James III, now 16, was convicted of murder in the death of 18-year-old Jaren Minies in Elkhart on Sept. 12, 2018. Minies was shot multiple times during a dispute over a gun, money and a video game system. He …

Darla Jean Smith, age 74, of Three Rivers, passed away Friday, January 8, 2021 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born November 24, 1946 in Mishawaka, the daughter of Lawrence and Adabele (Kruger) Johnson. Darla worked in inventory and logistics for Republic Roller and Kirsch, and worked at Three Rivers Public Library. She loved her church, her family, …

The Kalamazoo State Theatre has been connecting artists and fans for more than 90 years and now you can take a private tour of our historic venue! Take a walk through our Vaudeville Theatre’s history in our extended tour and go backstage in your home with the stars. During your guided tour, you will learn about our atmospheric sky, architecture, …

Bonnie J. Wesse, age 90, of White Pigeon, died on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, at Heartland Health Care, following an extended illness. She was born July 18, 1930, in Casey, Ill., a daughter of Frank W. and Bonnie L. (Stelle) Schultz. She was a White Pigeon-area resident most of her life. She was employed at Union Products for 15 years, …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Wednesday she hopes to let restaurants reopen for indoor dining on Feb. 1, as her health department extended a two-month ban by an additional two weeks while letting non-contact sports resume this weekend. The plan is to allow dining with mitigation measures, capacity limits and a curfew. Organized non-contact sports and group exercise classes can start …

U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, Tuesday night issued the following statement on impeachment: “Today the President characterized his inflammatory rhetoric at last Wednesday’s rally as “totally appropriate,” and he expressed no regrets for last week’s violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. This sends exactly the wrong signal to those of us who support the very core of our democratic …

Joy Anne Prey of Plymouth, Michigan passed away on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021 from complications with dementia. She, along with her twin sister Janice were born on Oct. 5, 1945 in Three Rivers, the daughter of Ernest and Anne (Schmitt) Baker. Joy was a 1964 graduate of Mendon High School. She then attended and graduated from Wright Beauty Academy in …