A Sturgis business was at the center of attention Monday, as state and local officials visited Cobalt Holdings. Led by Department of Environmental Quality Director Dan Wyant, the team of officials met with Cobalt president Bruce Bart and toured the facility. Their visit was a part of Gov. Snider’s recycling program. Cobalt’s main product is crumb rubber. Created from …

Frances “Fran” Belle Stoppenbach, age 91, of Three Rivers passed away on Friday, August 15, 2014 at Heartland Health Care Center. Fran was born in Quincy, MI on June 7, 1923 the daughter of Archie and Iva(Roth)Smith. Frances graduated from Coldwater High School in 1941. She then went to work for her brother Darryl at the A&P grocery store in …

Harry R. Rasmussen, Jr., age 86, of Decatur, MI passed away Sunday, August 17, 2014. He was born August 30, 1927 in Superior, WI the son of Harry R. Sr. and Mable (Reynolds) Rasmussen. He was preceded in death by his first wife Ruth in 1985.  On October 16, 1987 he married Evelyn R. Rice who survives. Surviving besides his wife …

A Kalamazoo native fell to his death at Rio Grande National Forest in La Jara, Colorado last week. Investigators say 22-year-old Dylan Jarsma was taking photos at Rio Grande National Forest Friday at about 1 p.m. ET when he fell 200 feet near a waterfall and was killed instantly. Jarsma and his girlfriend,Taylor Whisman, who witnessed the fall, were moving …

           John R. Lapham, age 86, of Marcellus, MI (Wakelee), passed away unexpectedly Thursday, August 14, 2014 at home.           He was born December 24, 1927 in Cassopolis, MI, the youngest child of John W. and Alma B. (Johnson) Lapham.  On August 26, 1951 in Cassopolis he married the love of his life, Joan Ayers who preceded him in death …

    The 27th Mendon Riverfest wrapped up Saturday with a fireworks show that drew more than a thousand spectators. Event organizers said the three-day festival was well attended and benefitted from good weather.   The team of Denny Jones, Shawn Conroy and Greg Bingaman was the overall winner of Saturday’s canoe swamp, while the winning youth-division squad was comprised …

  Sturgis city commissioners last week approved removing a traffic light at the intersection of North Centerville Road and West West Street. The signal is to be replaced by stop signs. Beginning in late June, the traffic light was converted to flashing red and yellow signals at the intersection. After a six-week trial period, evaluations concluded that the traffic volume …

Myrtle Lucy Barnes, age 94, of Three Rivers, died Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014 at Heartland Healthcare Center in Three Rivers. She was born in Mendon on May 9, 1920 the youngest daughter of Thomas and Clyo (Kline) Engle, and attended school in Mendon. She was married to LoWayne Elmer Barnes on Sep. 4, 1937 in Centreville. They lived briefly in …

Philip Raymond Gregrich, Sr., 59, of White Pigeon, passed away Thursday, August 14th, 2014 at Riverview Manor Nursing Home in Three Rivers.  Phil was born in Benton Harbor, MI on November 26, 1954 to William Knapp and Doris Barton. On June 17, 1995, he married Valerie Harvey. Phil was employed in retail sales at Bontrager’s Supply in White Pigeon.  He also worked …

Lenora A. Rocha O’Grady, age 70, of Cassopolis, MI. She was born October 5, 1943 to Jack and Inez (Addelman) Kennedy. She loved fishing and gathering with friends for social activities. Surviving are two daughters, Tammy (Mark) Adcock of California and Joanna (Todd) Hawkins of Marcellus; three sons, Danny (Gloria) Rocha of Oregon, Kenny (Cindy) Rocha of Arizona and Steve (Sherry) …