Michigan on Tuesday began accepting applications for tuition-free assistance from adults 25 and older to earn an associate’s degree or postsecondary certificate at a community college or private training school. The Michigan Reconnect program is being supported with an initial $30 million in state funding, enough to cover approximately 30,000 people. Applicants must be at least 25, have lived in …

A Michigan man is accused of backing a van into a northern Indiana city’s fire department building after he first tried unsuccessfully to crash it into a nearby police building. James Campbell of Edwardsburg, faces felony charges of resisting law enforcement with a vehicle, auto theft and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, The Elkhart Truth reported Campbell, 34, was …

Robin Alex Nettleton, age 53, of Marcellus, passed away Sunday, January 31, 2021, in Three Rivers. Robin was born in Goshen on September 14, 1967, the son of Richard and Nina (Buller) Nettleton. On January 14, 1991, in Warsaw IN. he married Lisa Olinger, who survives. Robin was a stay at home dad for many years enjoying his children and …

Susan B. Coblentz, age 44, of Burr Oak, passed away Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021, at IU Health University Hospital in Indianapolis. Susan was born May 10, 1976, in Geneva, Ind., a daughter of the late Ben A. and Elizabeth (Graber) Coblentz. Susan is survived by her siblings, Leah (Paul) Shetler of Monroe, Ind., Albert (Sarah Irene) Coblentz of LaGrange, Verena …

Mary Lou Young, age 85, of LaGrange, passed away on Sunday, January 31, 2021 at Miller’s Merry Manor in LaGrange.  Mary Lou was born in Three Rivers on March 24, 1935, a daughter of Audrey and Marguerite (Hoyt) Allen.  She attended Schoolcraft public schools. On October 1, 1954, she married Kermit Young; he preceded her in death in April of …

Dennis L. Bastian, age 80, of Mottville, passed away on Friday, January 29, 2021 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. Dennis was born in Lawton on January 18, 1941.  He served in the US Army.  On December 14, 1963, he married Sharon Skinner in Lawton; she preceded him in death on June 13, 2016. Dennis was employed at Byer’s Barn …

Steven R. West, age 68, of Colon, passed away Friday, January 28, 2021 at Edgewood Health in Three Rivers. No services are planned. Arrangements by Schipper Funeral Home.

“All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson Two days ago some restrictions were lifted concerning the Covid pandemic. This doesn’t mean we should all go out mask-free and hug everyone we meet. I will continue to wear a mask, wash my hands as often as a heart surgeon, maintain social distancing …

Larry E. “Gilly” Gillespie, age 72, of Howe, Indiana died at Parkview LaGrange Hospital on Sunday, January 24, 2021. Larry succumbed to acute leukemia after a courageous two-year battle with the disease. Born on May 23, 1948, at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, Indiana to Elmo and Florence (Wheat) Gillespie, Larry lived his early childhood in Albany, Indiana, then LaGrange, …

The fight over whether to allow youth contact sports took center court Thursday in Lansing as Michigan lawmakers heard testimony from educators, parents and students wanting to get back to competition. Even though a ban on indoor dining ends Feb. 1, youth contact sports, including winter high school seasons in basketball, hockey, wrestling and competitive cheer, remain off-limits because of the …