A new rose blooms in heaven Edna E. Esseltine, age 93, of Colon, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. Edna was born Aug. 14, 1920, in Colon, a daughter of the late Earl E. and Grace (Ware) Hackenburg. Edna lived all her life in Colon graduating from Colon High …

Rescue crews saved eight dogs including six puppies from a burning mobile home in southwestern Michigan. Kalamazoo Public Safety says officers responded Sunday night along with firefighters from Portage Public Safety and the Comstock Township Fire Department. When they arrived they found the fire burning in a front bedroom, with smoke filling the home. Officers rescued the dogs. Some of …

With a number of Michigan schools shutting down on a regular basis because of this frigid winter weather, the question is what will Michigan lawmakers do about making sure students meet the 180 day requirement to be in school. Currently every school district gets six days off for bad weather but last year the governor signed a bill allowing districts …

A 30- year- old Elkhart man died from injuries Friday at his place of employment in Mottville Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said the man, whose name was not released Friday, worked at The Andersons grain elevator, on Anderson Road. The incident occurred around 11 a. m. Sheriff ‘s deputies said the man was loading rail cars, lost …

The cities of Three Rivers and Sturgis will pay a bit more per entity to fund the county grant-writer position. During action earlier this month, the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioner lowered its financial commitment to the three-way agreement, from 70 to 50 percent of the $64,000 cost. Three Rivers and Sturgis will now pay 25 percent each, a …

Three Rivers officials intend to look at a potential sidewalk snow-removal policy following concerns raised during a commission meeting last week. Three Rivers Board of Education member Waneta Truckey said children walking to and from school are forced into the street when sidewalks are not cleared of snow. The fact children are walking in the streets is a safety concern, …

A pet-adoption organization based in Sturgis is seeking homes for several displaced or unwanted pets, as it is ceasing operations. Pet Haven, which started in the 1980s, has struggled with financial obligations, hastening its end, according to founder Lois Rosenburg. The non- profit organization, which does not have a permanent site, operates from volunteer foster homes that keep animals until …

Donald H. Smith, age 76, of Colon, passed away Friday, Jan. 24, 2014, at his home. Don was born March 6, 1937, in Garrett, Ind., a son of the late Earl B. and Opal L. (Terhune) Smith. His early years were spent in Aurora, Ill., graduating from Moose Hart with the class of 1955. He then served in the U.S. …

Goldie M. Frohriep, age 99, of Sturgis, passed away early Friday morning, Jan. 24, 2014, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She was born Jan. 15, 1915, in Wabash County, Ind., a daughter of the late Carver and Etta (Thomas) Smith. Goldie resided in Sturgis since 1950, coming from Fort Wayne, Ind. The last few years of her life were …

Michael A. Myckowiak’s wish to be reunited with his wife, Phyllis, was finally granted on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2014. He was born May 21, 1924, in Lowell, to Michael F. and Florence (Darby) Myckowiak. The family moved to Grand Rapids and he graduated from Grand Rapids Central High School in 1942. He attended Grand Rapids Junior College and graduated from …