The Sturgis Area Community Foundation recently completed its 2014 competitive grant program. The following organizations received grants: Children’s Trauma Assessment Group of St. Joseph County: $12,500 to assist the startup of the organization. City of Sturgis: $6,300 toward the Recreation Security Project. KeyStone Place, Inc.: $1,200 to assist with Project Connect. Open Door Art Center: $1,200 for the Pottery Wheel …

The Centreville Village Council has made a salary adjustment for its interim police chief, David Richmond. With the added duties included with his chief-related obligations, Richmond was allocated a salary adjustment from $13 an hour to $16 an hour. Richmond, 30, was named interim chief a month ago after Luke Delcourt resigned Oct. 2 before he was to meet with …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has agreed to return to staging its committee of the whole meetings twice a month. The five-member panel last month decided to assemble at 8 a.m. the Wednesday before its twice-a-month board meetings. The committee of the whole meetings starting in January this year were held just once a month, prior to the …

Donald J.(Don) Eberhard, age 91, of Colon, died Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014, at the Branch County Community Health Center in Coldwater, due to multiple health issues. He was born Oct. 22, 1923, on South Clay Street in Sturgis, the first born of Roy and Rose (Holtz) Eberhard. Don graduated from Sturgis High School with the Class of 1942 and was …

Alberta Marie Kastead was born on November 7, 1917, in Mendon, MI., the daughter of Ella Tillotson. Alberta died peacefully in her sleep on November 4, 2014 with her daughters present at the Laurels of Sandy Creek where she was a resident for eight years. She attended schools in Indiana and graduated from Mongo High School in 1936. On July …

Sales of Michigan deer licenses are down this year despite a weekend start to the annual hunting season.  The Detroit News reports just over 1 million licenses were sold from March through Sunday, the lowest number in the past six years. The traditional firearm season starts Saturday.  Some out-of-state hunters say they won’t pursue deer because of the higher cost. …

Eldon Mangold, age 59, of Three Rivers, died Tuesday Nov. 11, 2014 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. He was born in Vicksburg, MI on Aug. 28, 1955 the son of Alva and Eugenia (Coleman) Mangold and was a lifetime resident of the area. He attended Howardsville and Three Rivers schools. Eldon worked at several area factories, including W.F. Wells. …

Frances M. Norton, age 93, of Marcellus, MI passed away Tuesday, November 11, 2014 in the Cass County Medical Care Facility, Cassopolis, MI She was born February 11, 1921 in Marcellus, MI. On June 3, 1942 she married Harry M. Norton who preceded her in death in 1997. She was a member of the Marcellus V.F.W. Post No. 4054 Ladies …

Twice a year I make my much needed trip to the dentist. I’ve visited the dentist this way for as long as I can remember. My mother would be proud of me, I’m sure. Visiting the dentist is not the same as going to your eye doctor, or should I say optometrist. I’ve felt discomfort during my appointment with the …

A Sturgis police officer has been placed on a two-week suspension following his involvement in an off-duty incident last month in Kalamazoo County. The 29-year-old officer was charged with operating under the influence and for having a blood-alcohol content of 0.17 percent or higher, according to the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Department. The officer told investigators he was driving around 2 …