It’s hard to believe that 2015 begins on Thursday. I hate to wear out a phrase, but I just don’t know where this year has gone. I have to think hard to remember the seasons that have passed. Our summer was quite normal, with temperatures staying below ninety degrees most of the time. I’m not sure if we did have …

HAPPY NEW YEAR! My name is Chance and I am a male black lab mix, about 4 years old. I have a lot of energy and love to play. I know how to play fetch and how to sit – and I really like belly rubs. I have already been neutered, too. People are very fun to play with but …

Diane Rosadelle ( Hagen) Bower, 72, of Sturgis, Mich., went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2014, at Sturgis Hospital, following a two- month illness. She was born Dec. 12, 1942, in Sturgis, the daughter of Walter L. and Rosadelle ( Parke) Hagen. Except for two years in Florida, she lived in the Sturgis, …

The MSU Extension Service has played an active role in St. Joseph County during 2014, according to an annual report presented earlier this month to the county commission. Its role with children and youth included a “Grow Your Own Pig and Sell Your Pig” commodity carnival as a simulation of what it takes to raise a hog for market. Other …

Outgoing State Rep. Matt Lori was honored earlier this month by a number of dignitaries and representatives from a crime-prevention organization. Officials from the group “Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Michigan,” a non-profit organization led by more than 500 of Michigan’s police chiefs, sheriffs, prosecutors and crime survivors, honored Lori with a “Crime Fighter Award” during a reception at the …

Marlene Faye Brueck, age 81, of Three Rivers, went to be with the Lord and Husband, December 26, 2014 at her home since 1952. She was born in Sturgis, MI on February 2, 1933 one of Four children born to Raymond Liby and Rosa (Meyers) Liby. She was married to Paul Edward Brueck on Sep. 8, 1951 in the Three …

Varetta M. Powers, age 84, of Marcellus, MI passed away unexpectedly Monday, December 29, 2014. She was born April 22, 1930 the daughter of Earl and Jenni (Schmidt) Copenhaver. Her husband Robert Powers of 65 years, preceded her in death on November 21, 2014. Varetta served on several community boards. She enjoyed her lawn, garden and traveling with her granddaughter …

Arnold A. Schten, age 86, of Marcellus, MI, passed away Sunday, December 28, 2014 at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo. He was born May 16, 1928 in Chicago, IL the son of V. Edward and Lillian C. (Wax) Schten who raised him and his brothers in the Lutheran Church. On December 29, 1950 in Marcellus he married Abigail Schurtz who survives. …

A 47-year-old Sturgis man died following a two-vehicle accident Dec. 20 in LaGrange County. The LaGrange County Sheriff’s Department said Hugo Fernandez died at the scene after the car he was driving was struck head-on by a vehicle on State Road 9, just south of Howe. Sheriff’s investigators said 44-year-old Christopher Yoder of Sturgis was traveling south on State Road …

Deputies from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office investigated a breaking-and-entering incident last week at a location in Burr Oak Township. Investigators were called at 2 p.m. Dec. 21 to the 66000 block of Halfway Road. It was reported that someone entered a barn and took an engine. The engine had aluminum valve covers with the word “Avenger” on it. …