Hager Dale Stidham, age 50, of Sturgis, passed away Friday, Nov. 7, 2014, at his home. Hager was born Aug. 27, 1964, in Martin, Ky., a son to the late Russell M. and Birdie (Shepherd) Stidham. On Feb. 25, 1985, he married Ann E. Milliman in Clintwood, Va. She preceded him in death on May 24, 1997. Hager had lived in …

Alice May Fairchild, age 69, of Colon, passed away Friday, Nov. 7, 2014, at the Life Span Good Samaritan Hospice Residence in Battle Creek. Alice was born Nov. 28, 1944, in Battle Creek, a daughter to the late Rose V. Thomas. On June 13, 1964, she married Gary C. Fairchild in Colon and he preceded her in death March 9, …

Sue M. Messer, 99, of Sturgis, and formerly of Columbus, Ind., died Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014, at Thurston Woods Village, following an extended illness. She was born April 11, 1915, in Lincoln County, Ky., to Tyler and Sallie (Adams) Messer. She was a Sturgis resident since 2011, coming from Columbus, Ind., to be near her niece Judy McCarrel. She was …

Joseph Leo Happel, 90, of Centreville, passed away at 3:08 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on March 9, 1924 in Mendon to the late Leon E. and Gladys (Klein) Happel. On Sept. 20, 1945 in Mendon he married Glenna Carlin, she survives. Also surviving are two sons, Thomas (Martha) Happel …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department will pursue renewal of a grant that has allowed it to professionalize traffic-crash reconstruction. With unanimous support of the county board of commissioners Monday, the Crash Accident Reconstruction Team grant request will be pursued. If approved the $4,300 in grant money would allow the sheriff’s office to purchase a software enhancement and continue its …

The second round of high school football takes place this weekend, with two area teams still in contention. Schoolcraft, with a 7-and-3 record, travels to Watervliet for a 7 o’clock contest tonight against the Panthers in a Division 6 matchup. Schoolcraft eked out a 28-26 win a year ago in the district final, also at Watervliet. Meanwhile, 9-and-1 Mendon will …

The Three Rivers DDA/Main Street program has announced the addition of communications and events intern Rebecca Kramb. A 2008 graduate of Three Rivers High School, Kramb attended Glen Oaks and recently earned her bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University, where she majored in creative writing and minored in communications. Three Rivers DDA/Main Street Executive Director Brian Persky said Kramb has …

Kalamazoo County Administrator Peter Battani has resigned. The resignation was presented to the County Board at Wednesday night’s meeting and was unanimously accepted. Battani cited fatigue as the reason for his departure. He will receive six months pay as severance and will be eligible for health insurance through the county.  (MRN)

Hello! I’m Baby Girl and I am ready to go home with you! I am a female tri-color beagle, about two years old with lots of energy. I like people and am good with dogs and cats. I weigh about 26 pounds and am very sweet. I know how to sit but need some training to walk without pulling on …

The City of Sturgis Electric Department is challenging the Sturgis Fire Department to see which can raise the most money for the St. Joseph County United Way. The bucket challenge starts at 9 a.m. Friday. According to St. Joseph County United Way Director Kelly Hostetler, individuals are signed up to be in the bucket trucks high over the fire department …