An overhaul of Michigan’s auto insurance system topped the list of new laws in 2019. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and lawmakers also legalized sports betting and online gambling, and enacted a measure to stop automatically treating 17-year-old offenders as adults in the criminal justice system. The Democratic governor signed 178 bills in the first year of divided government since 2010. She …

Inez Salinas, age 71, of Mendon, passed away on Tuesday, December 31, 2019 at Borgess Medical Center.  She was born in Weslaco, TX on March 22, 1948 the daughter of Martin and Maria (Bernal) Mireles. Inez was united in marriage to Mario in 1964. Together they moved to Mendon from Donna, Texas shortly after they wed.  Inez enjoyed the peacefulness …

Sharon Ann Mercer, age 74 of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday, January 1, 2020 at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. Sharon was born in Three Rivers on January 13, 1945, a daughter of June (Conder) and William Mercer. She attended Constantine schools, and liked to babysit. Surviving are her daughter Julia Ann Mercer, Sturgis; brother Jerry Mercer, Hartford; sister …

Phillip Jerry Eberhard, age 78 years of Hudson, passed away Tuesday, December 31, 2019, at his home. He was born on June 8, 1941, in Sturgis, the son of Phillip J. and Violet H. (Rubley) Eberhard. Phil graduated from Colon High School in 1959. He graduated from Central Michigan University with a teaching degree and later eared his Master’s in …

Ralph Duane Adams, age 85, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019, at his home. He was born April 24, 1934, in LaGrange, only child of Ora Raymond and Thelma (August) Adams. Ralph resided most of his life in Sturgis. His early life was spent in Howe, Ind. He was a graduate of Lima High School with the …

Authorities say a 16-year-old girl visiting Lake Michigan for the first time is missing and presumed drowned after apparently being swept into the water by a large wave. The Ottawa County sheriff’s office says Eliza Trainer and an 18-year-old friend were knocked into Lake Michigan off Holland State Park about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday. Trainer’s friend was able to get out …

Northern Indiana officials say a woman whose minivan plunged into a retention pond, killing two of her three children, missed a curve on an icy road just before that crash. The St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s office said Thursday that 31-year-old Brooke Natalie Kleven and her 3-month-old daughter, Hendrix Kleven, both remained in critical condition following the New Year’s Eve crash. …

A suburban Detroit family has been reunited with their dog, days after the canine ran off following a car crash. The golden retriever, Red, ran into nearby woods after he was ejected from the family’s vehicle on Dec. 25 when it rolled several times along I-75 in Auburn Hills after hitting a slick spot. Wade Stevenson of Woodhaven pleaded online …

Mickey Roy Sowers, age 65, of Niles, passed away late Sunday evening, Dec. 29, 2019, at Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph. He was born March 11, 1954, in Sturgis, a son of the late Jack M. and Thelma Ruth (Rambadt) Sowers. Mickey resided most of his life in Niles and was a graduate of Niles High School. He had …

The May shooting death of a woman by her 9-year-old adopted son was voted the top local news story of 2019, as selected and ranked by editorial staff members of the Sturgis Journal. The incident occurred May 6 in Fawn River Township and resulted in the death of Pauline Randol. In September, probate court judge David Tomlinson ruled the boy …