Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday said she was closing indoor seating in bars in parts of the state, including a city with a bar that has been linked to a rising number of infections. Whitmer also signed a bill allowing bars and restaurants to sell to-go cocktails in an effort to help those businesses. Bars won’t have to close …

Indiana will keep capacity limits in place for restaurants, bars and entertainment venues because of worries about a possible increase in coronavirus cases across the state, Gov. Eric Holcomb said Wednesday. The state’s reopening plan had called for those restrictions to be lifted this weekend, but Holcomb said he would keep them in place until at least July 18. The …

Malachi Moriah Budfuloski Mechling, age 35, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday, April 9, 2020, at his home. He was born Oct. 29, 1984, in Kalamazoo, a son of John and the late Connie Sue (Sorko-Ram) Budfuloski. Malachi’s early years were spent in California. In 1998, he moved to the Sturgis area, where he remained until his death. He was a …

Fern Marie Knauss, age 79, of Three Rivers, died Monday, June 29, 2020 at Ascension-Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. She was born in Benton Harbor on Dec. 24, 1940 the daughter of the late Estell and Letha (Floyd) Bell. She attended a one-room school near Jones and went to Marcellus High School. Fern was married to Gordon L. Knauss on …

It saddens us to announce the death of Julia Renee Zimmerman, our Peanut, whose life was taken from her in a horrific automobile accident. She was born April 6, 2000, and left this earthly world to join God’s heavenly home on June 26, 2020. Throughout her 20 years, Julia carried a smile on her face every day, which she shared …

Robert A. Zlotkowski, age 67, of Colon, formerly of Hegewisch, IL, passed away on Thursday, June 25, 2020. Robert is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years, Linda(nee Erickson)Zlotkowski; daughters, Dana Howe and Kristy(Steve)Donley both of Griffith, IN; grandchildren, Hailey Howe and Raegan and Jenna Donley; brother, Larry Zawistowski and nieces, Danielle and Sarah Zawistowski.  Preceded in death by …

Glenn “Hillbilly” Spencer Sr., age 81, of Sturgis, passed away Sunday morning, June 28, 2020, at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born July 15, 1938, in Combs, Ky., a son of the late Seldon and Lydia (Riley) Spencer. Glenn resided most of his life in Sturgis. On Nov. 14, 2014, he married Kathleen Miller in Centreville. He retired …

Patricia Ann Forsyth, age 86, of Constantine, passed away on Saturday, May 23, 2020 at Beacon Pointe Assisted Living in Portage. She was born on April 6, 1934 in Sturgis, a daughter of Charles and Virginia (Minzey) Kilgore. Pat graduated from Rome City High School in 1952 and Glen Oaks Community College in 1969. She then received her Masters Degree …

Rex Winfield Samuels, age 57, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday evening, June 25, 2020 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo. He was born October 31, 1962 in Sturgis, son of the late Clifford Vincent and Dorothy M. (Prestidge) Samuels. Rex grew up in Sturgis and graduated from Sturgis High School with the class of 1981 and furthered his education at …

Charley A. Roberts Jr., age 67, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully June 18, 2020, at his home. Charley was born Sept. 26, 1952, in Three Rivers, a son of Charley and Wanda (Brunner) Roberts Sr. He worked alongside his dad, Charley Sr., doing excavation and marl for many years and continued after his father passed. He was an avid …