Michigan Republican congressman Fred Upton says he will seek re-election to his Sixth Congressional District seat. In announcing his re-election bid, Upton says there is “unfinished” business that has to be completed, including fighting the opioid epidemic and immigration reform. The 66-year-old Upton Upton was being watched closely as a potential House retiree as Republicans struggle to try regaining the …

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is urging residents to follow simple steps to limit the spread of a new type of virus that hasn’t been confirmed in the state but could be eventually. She says people should wash their hands, not touch their face, replace handshakes with elbow or fist bumps and cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing. Whitmer activated …

A group has launched a ballot drive to replace Michigan’s flat personal income tax with a graduated system. Supporters say the proposed constitutional amendment would cut taxes for more than 90% of residents and raise them on higher earners. The 4.25% income tax would have to be reduced for individuals making $175,000 or less — $350,000 for joint filers. The …

Jack Stears, age 86, of Constantine, passed away on Friday, February 28, 2020 at Bronson Methodist Hospital.  He was born in Constantine on August 20, 1933, the son of Cecil and Catherine (Bradford) Stears.  Jack graduated from Constantine High School in 1951.  On November 6, 1952, he married Marlene Elaine Berry in Angola. Jack was a skid maker for Fibre …

F. Betty Krontz, age 88, of Sturgis, passed away early Thursday morning, Feb. 27, 2020, at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born Aug. 2, 1931, in Howe, Ind., a daughter of the late Franklin J. and Irene (Schull) Friend. Betty was a longtime Sturgis resident. Her early life was spent in Indiana, where she was a graduate of …

Constantine Public Schools Board of Education recently approved the hiring of Michigan Leadership Institute to conduct a search for a new superintendent. MLI was one of two organizations to apply for the search job. John Jarpe currently serves as interim superintendent at Constantine schools following the resignation of Steve Wilson, who was hired as superintendent at Bronson Community Schools in …

Peggy L. Preston, age 73, of Constantine, passed away on Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka.  She was born in Goshen on March 10, 1946, a daughter of Robert and Barbara (Funkhouser) Emmert. Peggy graduated from Mishawaka High School in 1964.  On July 10, 1965, she married Dennis Scheibelhut in Mishawaka; he preceded her …

Ethel Beatrice Hoffine left this world on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. Ethel was beloved by many and will be deeply missed. She had a feisty spirit, indomitable courage and a huge heart. Born Oct. 1, 1931, to Ferdinand “Fred” and Beatrice (Lings) Dost, in Chicago, Ethel Beatrice Dost moved with her parents and two brothers, Fred and Roy, to Burr …

Doris Mae Noragon, age 86, formerly of Sturgis and Colon, passed away Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, at Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation Community in Centreville. Doris was born March 3, 1933, in Garrett, Ind., a daughter of the late Paul and Violet (Oberlin) Chapman. On Sept. 30, 1950, she married Robert Noragon. Doris had lived most of her life in the …

Mary Belle Spence, 56, of Sturgis, died on Monday, Feb. 17, 2020, at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born April 26, 1963, in Sturgis, a daughter of Jim and Emma (Sandrock) Campbell. Surviving are a daughter, Gennie Spence; four sons, Jon Kinney, Bobby Spence, Clifford Spence and Andy Spence; her mother, Emma Sandrock; two grandchildren, Elizabeth and Wesley; …