Effective March 16th, 2020, COA offices will be closed, including Enrichment Centers in Sturgis and Three Rivers. All activities and programs will be canceled at both centers. Services to clients in their home will be limited to once per week meals on wheels delivery and limited support to seniors who require personal care. Seniors who use these services will receive …

The Riviera Theatre takes the safety of our customers and staff seriously, and will follow the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services recommendations for COVID-19 community mitigation strategies. As global concerns increase over the virus and its potential impact on everyday things in our community, including going to see movies and concerts, we have decided to take the following …

Katheryn Faye Lytle, age 85, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday, March 12, 2020 at her home. She was born June 19, 1934, in Mendon, a daughter of the late Lloyd and Pauline (Katz) Kuhlman. Kathy resided in the Sturgis and Mendon area her entire life and was a graduate of Mendon High School with the class of 1951. On May …

Alan Charles Ake Sr., age 61, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday, March 10, 2020, at home, surrounded by his loving family. He was born April 18, 1958, in LaGrange, a son to the late Elmer and Rachel (Hershberger) Ake. Alan was a resident of Sturgis most of his life and was employed as a tool-and-die maker at Sutton Tool for …

State legislators have given their final approval to a proposal banning motorists from using handheld cellphones on Indiana roads to combat distracted driving. The Indiana House voted 81-11 and the Senate 49-1 on Tuesday in favor of the bill. The measure permits cellphone use by drivers only with hands-free or voice-operated technology, except in emergencies. The new law will take …

A school district in southwestern Michigan is dropping its Redskins nickname and mascot after the superintendent urged school board members to end the contentious name. The Paw Paw school board voted 6-1 on Monday to retire the Redskins nickname by the end of the school year. Superintendent Rick Reo said last week he believes the district originally chose Redskins to …

Elijah Scott “Peanut” Singleton, age 14 days, passed away Thursday, March 5, 2020, at his home. He was born Feb. 20, 2020, in Three Rivers. Elijah is survived by his parents, Hannah Farler and Jesse Singleton of Burr Oak; two sisters, Jemma Singleton and Shy-Ann Singleton; two brothers, Jaxzon Singleton and Skylar Singleton; grandparents Jerry and Tina Farler of Burr …

Larry Lee Shoppell, age 64, passed away at his home in rural Shipshewana, on Wednesday, March 4, 2020.  He was born in Coldwater,  on February 28, 1956 and had lived in the Michiana area most of his life except for 3 years he served in the U.S. Army in Colorado and Germany.  He was last employed by Syndicate in Middlebury. …

Michigan’s top election official says to expect later-than-typical results from next week’s presidential primary because of a surge of absentee ballots and other factors. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said Thursday that election is the first major statewide contest since voters in 2018 authorized no-reason absentee voting and same-day voter registration. Absentee ballot requests are up 80% compared to the …

Art Van Furniture will close all company-owned stores in at least five states as the retailer heads toward liquidation after more than 60 years in business. Liquidation sales are expected to start Friday. Art Van spokeswoman Diane Charles says in a statement Thursday that the “company’s brands and operating performance have been hit hard by a challenging retail environment.” Archie …