A lone man held up the Bronson branch of PNC bank last week. The incident occurred about 10 a.m. Friday, according to Bronson Deputy Chief Brad McConn. The man walked into the West Chicago Street bank, went to a teller and said he had a gun, but did not show one. He demanded money and exited with an undisclosed amount …

Fire damaged a vacant home in the 16000 block of Fawn River Road in White Pigeon Township late Wednesday night. Early Saturday morning, firefighters and St. Joseph County Sheriff deputies were called to the same home for a fire on a deck at the rear of the home. Sheriff deputies called the fire arson. A Michigan State Police fire investigator …

John James Freeman, Sr. age 68, of Sturgis, passed away early Sunday morning, December 23, 2018 at his home. He was born June 23, 1950 in Memphis, Tennessee son of the late Shirley Jean Freeman. John resided in Sturgis since 2005 coming from Fremont, Ohio. He was a talented airbrush artist. His work was featured in many different publications including …

Frederick W. Wolf, age 68, of Constantine, passed away on Saturday, December 22, 2018 at his home. He was born June 18, 1950 in Sturgis a son of Fred and June (Geark) Wolf. Fred graduated from Sturgis public schools. On August 29, 1981 he married Catherine Renee Cruce in Constantine. He was employed for many years at Oak Products in Sturgis …

Lilly J. Misner, age 91, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday, December 20, 2018 at Elkhart General Hospital. She was born June 26, 1927 in Colon, a daughter to the late George and Lilly (Thrams) Schellhous. Lilly was a graduate of Colon High School and resided in Sturgis all of her adult life. On May 10, 1946 she married Lee Monroe …

The Trump administration has approved Michigan’s plan to require able-bodied adults in the Medicaid expansion program to meet work or job-related requirements. The waiver was authorized Friday. The federal government has now approved work requirements in seven states, with others pending. Starting in 2020, adults age 18 to 62 in Michigan will have to show workforce engagement averaging 80 hours …

On Friday, December 21, 2018, Leone Viola (Schoch) Huff of Volinia went to her heavenly home to be with her Lord and Savior. She passed away at her home after a long illness surrounded by her family. Leone was born in Howardsville, MI on December 26, 1914, to Leora and Arthur Schoch. Shortly after her birth, her family moved to …

Denna L. Close, age 55, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 18, 2018, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born May 31, 1963, in Sturgis, daughter of Wallace “Butch” and Patricia “Pat” (McLaughin) Bowman. Denna resided in the Sturgis and Constantine area most of her life. She had been employed at Bay Bridge Manufacturing in Bristol, and …

Eleanor Ruth White age 73 of Sturgis, passed away Thursday morning December 13, 2018 at her home. She was born June 25, 1945 in Grand Rapids, daughter of the late John R. and Dorothy (Eckman) Verduin. Eleanor resided in Sturgis for the past 5 years, coming from the Mendon area where she had lived for many years. On June 19, …

Phillip Henry Matz Jr., age 91, of LaGrange, passed away Sunday afternoon, Dec. 16, 2018, at the Valley View Health Care Center in Elkhart. He was born Dec. 9, 1927, in Mishawaka, son of the late Phillip and Ida (Steinke) Matz, Sr. Phil resided in LaGrange since 1994 coming from Sturgis. On July 3, 1949, he married Mary Weiss in …