The victim of an early Sunday morning fire has been identified. Travis Williams, age 53, died in the fire. The fire broke out around 1:30 a.m. Sunday at a sub-divided house on West West Street at North Street. The Sturgis Department of Public Safety said first-arriving firefighters noticed heavy smoke and flames in an upstairs apartment. Upon entry, fire officials …

Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce officials have announced director Roxanne Persing plans to step down in January. Persing, who took over the role earlier this year, has accepted a teaching job with Sturgis Public Schools, chamber officials said. The vacancy nearly coincides with the impending departure of Mike Hughes as Sturgis city manager. Hughes announced in October he would be …

A $50,000 fundraising goal was recently reached by an organization helping to protect the Paw Paw Watershed. Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy’s Miko Dargitz said the latest drive reached its goal before the Dec. 31 deadline. As a result, it will receive a $50,000 matching grant. SWMLC plans to acquire, protect and steward more than 1,500 acres and 6.5 miles of …

A challenge over water is underway in western Branch County and parts of St. Joseph County based on the habitat of brown trout. A coalition of interested parties called Prairie Water Group is trying to stop the redesignation of the Prairie River from warm to cold, which will result in major economic losses for farmers who irrigate and Branch County. Time …

Plans are again moving forward for the Sturgis splash pad project, delayed by a year due to lack of bids for the project. The city split the project into two segments — a parking lot and bathroom site, and the splash pad itself, to potentially attract bidders. Sturgis Planning Commission members last week heard an update on the project and …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating a fatal crash last week in Calhoun County’s Newtown Township. The crash occurred shortly before 11:30 p.m. Thursday on B Drive South, near 11 Mile Road. Troopers said a snowmobile driven by a 49-year-old Battle Creek man was traveling south across B Drive South, when it entered a field, struck a rock and lost …

After over 20 years as president and executive director of Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy, Peter Ter Louw has announced he will be leaving the organization. Ter Louw, whose last day will be Saturday, plans on moving back east to be near family, and to pursue other opportunities beyond Michigan. During his service and time at the helm, Ter Luow has …

Hi there… I’m Diesel. I am a 3 year old intact male. I am a very happy-go-lucky young man, who knows “sit” and “tippy tappy feet” and I’m just a big, happy block head (which is part of my charm). I’m not sure about cats, I haven’t been around them. As you can see, I have on my holiday gear, …

St. Joseph County officials said goodbye this week to a pair of veteran board members. Dan Czajkowksi and Kathy Pangle, both completing their sixth year as part of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners, attended their final commission meeting Tuesday. Both reflected on the board’s achievements over their three terms, giving credit to teamwork involving department heads, administration and …

Here’s a reminder that the First Presbyterian Church of Three Rivers is offering space as a warming center between 9 and 11 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday. The church is, located at 320 N. Main St. Coffee, tea, cocoa and snacks are provided. In addition, games and reading material are available. The warming center will be offered through February.