Edna Artley Howard, age 92, of Sturgis, died Sunday morning, May 31, 2020 at her home surrounded by her children. She was born in Rockwood, Michigan, the daughter of the late J. Kenneth and Ruth (Janney) Artley. Mrs. Howard was a graduate of Monroe High School. She furthered her education at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant where she earned …

Richard A. “Dick” Schaeffer, age 88, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his children, on Friday, May 29, 2020. Dick was born Feb. 4, 1932, in Sturgis, to Harold A. and Kathryn (née Bassett) Schaeffer. His parents’ only and beloved child, Dick was raised on the family farm in White Pigeon, which was purchased by his grandfather, Daniel Erastus Schaeffer, in …

Bonnie Ropp Gray, age 74, of Sturgis, died on Thursday, May 28, 2020, at her home. She was born Oct. 17, 1945, to Anna (Smucker) and Bill Ropp in Detroit. Bonnie lived and attended schools in Detroit and then moved with her family to Goshen around 1963. She met Don Gray on Oct. 16, 1971, and they were married nine …

The Rev. Darrell A. Baum, age 93, of Sturgis, passed away early Thursday morning May 28, 2020 at Heartland Health Care Center in Three Rivers. He was born July 11, 1926 in Cherry Tree, Pennsylvania son of the late Don D. and Bessie (Adams) Baum. Pastor Baum resided in the Michiana area since 1972 coming from Marion, Indiana and his …

April’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County was 30.3 percent, as every county in the state experienced an increase during what was the first full month of jobs impacted by COVID-19. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget, which showed the county’s jump in unemployment, was released Friday. St. Joseph County was above the …

Michigan Department of Transportation has provided a weekly update on its work related to the U.S. 131 redevelopment project. MDOT said Stage 5 traffic pattern continues, with all traffic using a single lane in the southbound side of the highway. Some utility relocation through the length of the project will continue this week. Meanwhile, West Michigan Avenue paving is complete …

Last week I wrote a lot about naps and sleep. Before I continue with this week’s column, I’d like to share a few more ideas that might help you nap a little better. I find it ironic how, as a baby, we all spent a lot of time napping. As we got older, naps were not as welcome, because it …

The identities of a victim and suspect involved in a May 21 incident in Three Rivers have been released by Three Rivers Police. Det. Sam Smallcombe said 59-year-old James May of Three Rivers died during the incident. The suspect was 21-year-old Mohammad Abuhaltam, also a Three Rivers resident. Police were called at 9:43 a.m. to the 300 block of Middle …

The Three Rivers Water Festival is taking the year off for the first time in its 64-year history. Festival committee members made the decision Friday, according to Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Christy Trammell. She said the ever-changing situation regarding Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and her executive orders related to COVID-19 made it impossible to plan and …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer hinted Friday that she will soon reopen more regions of Michigan, expressing optimism as long as the rate of new coronavirus cases continues downward and testing increases. She did not specify when she may act, alluding to an announcement on additional areas in “coming days.” Her administration will discuss the issue internally Saturday. The governor’s stay-at-home order …