Mary Ann Nightingale, age 80, of Colon, passed away Friday, Sept. 27, 2013, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo after a short illness. Mary Ann was born July 18, 1933, in Leonidas, a daughter to the late Earl and Ruth (Craft) Hammond. Mary Ann had lived most all her life in Colon and Leonidas, graduating from Colon High School, as …

Keith D. Anderson, age 79, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away Saturday afternoon, Sept. 28, 2013, at his home. He was born Aug. 15, 1934, in Noblesville, Ind., son of the late Delmar and Vera (Taylor) Anderson. He was proud to have served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Keith is survived by his partner, companion and …

The August unemployment rate in St. Joseph County fell by more than two percent compared to the previous month. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 7.7 percent August unemployment rate was less than July’s 9.8 percent. The August 2013 unemployment rate was three-tenths of a percent less than the …

An attempt to break the world record for the most number of strollers pushed at the same time fell short Saturday. Nonetheless, organizers behind the event at Glen Oaks Community College said the effort was still a worthwhile affair. Amy Brauer, coordinator of the St. Joseph County Great Start Collaborative, said the attempt brought attention to nearly a dozen area …

Sturgis municipal officials said three new programs are being introduced as a result of the Generate Sturgis entrepreneurial forums earlier this year. A committee of 12 members has continued to meet since the Generate Sturgis sessions and has developed the programs BizCon, Business Boost and Buy Sturgis. Biz Con is a business conduit that will focus on events happening in …

Willard Harvey Tase, age 81, of Three Rivers passed away on Saturday, September 28, 2013 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on October 9, 1931 in Fabius Township, Michigan the son of Clyde Arthur and Flossie Mildred (Smittendorf) Tase. Willard was a lifetime resident of Three Rivers. He served his country honorably in the U.S. …

Pauline “Polly” E. Bardo, age 98, of Bristol, left her home in Bristol and went to be with her Lord on Monday, September 23, 2013. She was born in Three Rivers, MI on October 8, 1914, the daughter of Phillip and Nellie (Worthington) Hoverman. Polly graduated from Bristol High School in 1931. She married Robert Clarin, Sr., in 1937 until …

The creator and producer of the critically acclaimed AMC drama “Breaking Bad,” which is ending this weekend, has inked a deal to launch a new series on CBS featuring Battle Creek. Vince Gilligan first wrote the script a decade ago, and Battle Creek Police have been discussing the series for the whole time while the right cast was sought. It …

Richard A. “Dick” Shutes, age 76, of Three Rivers died Friday Sep. 27, 2013 at Clare Bridge of Portage following a long illness. He was born in Three Rivers on Dec. 24, 1936 the oldest son of Vaughn and Lucille (Van Brunk) Shutes and has been a lifetime resident of the Three Rivers area. He graduated from Three Rivers High …

James Leland “Buck” Wheat, age 68, of Lawrenceville, Georgia passed away on Wednesday, September 25, 2013. He is survived by his wife of 45 years Nancy Buck Wheat; daughter and son in law, Amy and Tony Page of Dahlonega, GA; son and daughter in law, James (Chip) and Sarah Wheat of Hendersonville, NC; grandchildren: Hannah Wheat, Hayden Wheat, Judah Wheat …