A four-star quarterback from Sturgis High School made his college choice official Wednesday. Chance Stewart signed his letter of intent to attend and play for Western Michigan University. Boosted by Stewart’s signing and 27 others Wednesday, the Kalamazoo-based university finished with the 60th-ranked signing class in Division I, the highest ever for a MAC school. Stewart, a three-star athlete who …

Brandon Terris Smith, age 28, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014, in Sturgis. He was born Nov. 13, 1985, in LaGrange, Ind., a son of Terry and Brenda (Conley) Smith. Brandon was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 2004. He continued his education at the Universal Technical Institute in …

Discussions regarding a potential sidewalk snow-removal ordinance in Three Rivers began Tuesday, when the Three Rivers City Commission explored the issue. Mayor Tom Lowry said a final proposed ordinance could be several meetings away, but he said hearing that children are walking in the street to and from school because sidewalks are not shoveled by adjacent property owners is alarming. …

Sturgis police were called at noon Tuesday to Oaklawn Park in response to a report of a man in possession of a firearm inside a parked vehicle. The first team of officers to arrive to the city-owned park found that the 28-year-old man had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Lorance Dean Arnold, Sr., age 52 of Cassopolis died Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014 at his daughter’s home in South Bend. He was born in Three Rivers, MI on Sep. 27, 1961 the son of William and Marion (Salisbury) Arnold. Lorance was a welder and handyman and had been employed at Voyager R.V. in Elkhart. He was also a biker who …

Robert D. Bainbridge, age 95, of Kalamazoo, MI passed away Monday, February 3, 2014. He was born December 18, 1918 in Butler, IN the son of Edward and Ida (Barnhill) Bainbridge. On January 22, 1943 in Wakelee, MI he married Carol Jean McKenzie who survives. He graduated from high school in 1937 then attended Michigan State. Through hard work and …

My name is Miss Kitty and I am a black and white female cat. I’m about 1-1/2 years old and am very friendly. I have this cute little black spot on the end of my nose. I’m not super active and would love to be a part of your family. Come in and see how good I am with people. …

The city of Three Rivers has granted an Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption for W.E. Slitt Sheet and Co. During Tuesday’s meeting, the city commission agreed to the 12-year abatement for personal-property improvements in excess of $467,000. As a result, the Jefferson Street company expects to retain 28 jobs and create one new position. A company official said the majority of …

Sandra M. Chapman-Pittman, 61, of Centreville, died at Sturgis Hospital on Jan. 31, 2014. Arrangements are being handled by the Eickhoff, Farrand, Halverson Chapel.

Three Rivers Health has announced its White Pigeon Family Care Center has opened. The Care Center, located at 601 E. Chicago Road, will be the site of an open house noon to 2 p.m. Saturday. Tours, an opportunity to meet personnel and a drawing for a HealthTRAC membership will be available. CEO William Russell said Three Rivers Health is pleased …