Kenneth L. Airgood, 78, of White Pigeon, died Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, following an extended illness. He was born Aug. 28, 1936, in White Pigeon, a son of Leland K. and Katherine J. (Rudloff ) Airgood. He lived all his life in White Pigeon, except for four years in the U.S. Navy, where he …

The city of Sturgis has delayed the opening of its downtown ice skating rink because of damage and vandalism. The rink liner was damaged when someone entered the fenced-in area before it was ready for use. Vandalism included panels that were pulled up. City officials are seeking tips from the public as they work to open the rink. (AP)

Marilyn Ruth DePlanche, age 83, of Mendon, died Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. She was born in Mendon on Jan. 28, 1931 the daughter of Donald C. and Alma G. (Bartholomew) Happel. She graduated from Mendon High School where she later worked as a custodian. Marilyn was a homemaker who also worked at G-W Pizza …

Robert Lee “Bob” McClish, age 71, of Leonidas died Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015 at his home. He was born in Battle Creek, MI on April 11, 1943 the son of Cecil and Audrey (Bastian) McClish and was a lifetime resident of the area. He graduated from Colon High School with the class of 1961. Bob worked as a millwright for …

A 22-year-old man has apologized before being sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison for his involvement in the 2013 fatal shooting of a University of Michigan medical student. Shaquille Jones told a court in Ann Arbor on Wednesday that “I wish I could take it back.” Jones in January pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. Twenty-five-year-old Paul DeWolf was …

Several Kalamazoo students turned out at a school board meeting to dispute allegations by a man who held a hunger strike to highlight what he believes is a problem with the district’s textbook policies. Six students from Loy Norrix High School went to the podium Thursday to say they weren’t getting an inferior education from the public school district, the …

State Rep. Aaron Miller has announced contact information for residents of the 59th House District who wish to reach him. Miller will continue to use former Rep. Matt Lori’s office phone number at 517-373-0832. Residents may also contact him at Box 30014, Lansing 48909, or by e-mail at AaronMiller@house.mi.gov. Miller said he wants to make it simple for people to …

Sturgis Public Schools’ Board of Education has detailed the successful sale of its 2015 refunding bonds, Series A, in the amount of about $25.3 million and 2015 refunding bonds, Series B, for about $10.6 million. The Series A bonds are being issued for the purpose of refunding that portion of the school district’s outstanding 2005 refunding bonds. Series A bonds …

The dean of Mendon Community Schools’ Board of Education has relinquished his role as president. During Monday’s organizational meeting for the seven-member board, Roger Cupp made a motion to elect Jim Fassett his replacement as board president. Fassett just joined the board but has previously served more than seven years before running again in November. Cupp, a board member for …

Richard Allen “Rick” Clark, 54, of Sturgis, passed away Monday evening, Jan. 19, 2015 at his home. He was born Feb. 20, 1960 in Sturgis, son of Paul and Karyl (Lutz) Clark. Rick resided most of his life in Sturgis and he was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1978. On Sept. 2, 1988 he married …