Betty A. VanDeKeere, 81, of LaGrange, Ind., died Saturday, March 29, 2014 at Miller’s Merry Manor in LaGrange. She worked at Transagram and as a cook at Miller’s Merry Manor. She lived her lifetime in LaGrange and was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Betty was born on April 19, 1932, in LaGrange, to Raymond and Anna (Brown) Keplinger. …

A collection of trash in Constantine Township’s Mill Creek turned out to be a methamphetamine dump site. Members of the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit were called Friday to Brick Chapel Road and spent several hours picking debris from the water. Sheriff’s department officials had received a tip about suspicious items found in the creek. Police determined several items …

The Sturgis City Commission has a vacancy to fill following a resignation announced last week. Mike Wilson has moved out of the city’s Third Precinct, making him ineligible to represent the area. The nine-member board is moving forward with plans to replace Wilson, who was on the commission for more than two years. Interested parties must submit an application to …

Results of a needs-assessment questionnaire, distributed jointly by Sturgis Hospital and Three Rivers Health, have been released. The fourth of five fields focuses on healthy behaviors. According to the St. Joseph County 2012 Community Health Needs Assessment, 786 St. Joseph County residents under the age of 75 years suffered a premature death between 2008 and 2010. St. Joseph County ranked …

Lt. Gov. Brian Calley has signed a package of bills, including one authored by state Rep. Matt Lori, which remove the words “retarded” and “retardation” from current laws. Last week’s bill-signing, attended by lawmakers, Lansing school officials and Special Olympians, took place at Hill Vocational Center in Lansing. Lori, who serves as a member of the Michigan Mental Health and …

Amber W. Shirah of Three Rivers passed away on Saturday, March 22, 2014 at the age of 90. She is survived by her three daughters, MaryAnn (Jeff) Kudary of Vicksburg, Susan (Mark) Boyer of Kalamazoo and Barbara (Jim) Bungart of Centreville; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren. She follows in death her husband, Berlin “Bud”; her son, Thomas; and great-grandson, Tyler. Funeral …

Howard A. Gest, age 82, of Burr Oak, went to be with his Lord and savior Thursday, March 27, 2014, at Skaggs Assisted Living in Burr Oak. He was born Sept. 4, 1931, a son of the late Leo and Eureath (Mitchell) Gest. Howard had been a resident of his beloved Burr Oak for the majority of his life. On …

Wanda Lou Balk, 79, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly early Thursday morning, March 27, 2014 at her home. She was born March 24, 1935 in Three Rivers, only child of the late Albert and Bernice (Roe) Baumert. Mrs. Balk resided in Sturgis for the past 22 years. Her early life was spent in Centreville where she was a graduate of …

Donald H. Sedlacek, age 83, of Coldwater, and formerly of Colon, passed away Wednesday, March 26, 2014, at his home, after several weeks of failing health. Don was born March 31, 1930, in Chicago, a son of the late Harry J. and Helen V. (Kulosek) Sedlacek. He had made his home in the Colon area since 1972, coming from Addison, …

Hi, I am “Johanna”. I am a female short-hair silver grey tiger and white cat. I know how to use a litter box and I am current on my vaccinations. I am about six months old. I have short hair and a nice, long tail. The ladies here say I have a “sweet personality”. My docket # is 11915, at …