Wallace Earl Bristow, 68, of Colon, died Monday at his home. Wally was born Dec, 3, 1945, in Aberdeen, N.C., to the late Harris L. Bristow and Una M Bristow “Allred.” Wally graduated and served in the U.S. Navy from 1964-1966. In 1975, he married Ottilie Bristow and they lived in Taylor until they moved to Sturgis in 1996. Wally …

A Leonidas man was arrested Wednesday following a police pursuit originating in Sturgis. Randall Wood, 39, is being held on a parole absconder warrant along with charges of fleeing and eluding, and hit-and-run. According to Sturgis police, the pursuit began around 10:30 a.m., when a Sturgis officer in an unmarked patrol vehicle saw Wood’s vehicle strike a light pole near …

The Three Rivers Fire Department earlier this week responded to a report of a natural-gas break. Department officials said they received a call shortly before 5 p.m. Monday regarding the smell of gas at 96 Fifth Ave. after a representative from SEMCO sought assistance. The gas meter and electricity to the building was shut off, as its interior had a …

A line of shoppers formed outside the new Aldi grocery store in advance of its opening Thursday morning. Located at the southeast corner of U.S. 131 and Broadway Road in front of Home Depot, the new Aldi is the 61st in Michigan. Company officials said about 95 percent of the 1,400 items inside the 10,000-square-foot store are store-label brands. District …

Rolene L. French, age 80, of Coldwater, passed away, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014, at Community Health Center of Branch County. Rolene was born Sept. 3, 1933, in Matteson Township, a daughter of the late Merton E. and Golda C. (Hovarter) French. Rolene had lived in Branch County all her life and was a member of the former Matteson Brethren Church. …

The state Senate has approved the immediate spending of 100-million dollars for “special winter road maintenance” funds. The vote follows concerns from local road commissions who say they’ve already spent most or all of their winter budgets. Not everyone is ready to back the amount of spending however. Both the governor and Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville were non committal …

Thomas “Tommy” Ray Oswalt III, age 17, of Three Rivers, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, February 19th, 2014. He was born in Kalamazoo, MI. on October 3, 1996 the son of Thomas Ray Oswalt II and Michele Marie (Kelley) LaPlant. Tommy has been a lifetime resident of Three Rivers. He attended Three Rivers Schools where he was very active in …

Nancy D. Earl-Johansen, 75, of Goshen, Ind., died Feb. 17, 2014 at Kindred Hospital in Mishawaka, Ind. Born May 12, 1938 in Three Rivers, daughter to the late George and Helen (Beebe) Baker. From June of 1958 to April of 1975 she was married to Richard L. Earl Sr. and they created two children, Rick and Kathy. In July of …

Brent A. Walters, age 57, of Battle Creek, passed away unexpectedly Feb. 13, 2014, at his home. He was born May 13, 1956, in Sturgis, a son of the late LaVerne and Shirley (Kunce) Walters. Brent graduated from Sturgis High School with the class of 1974. He also attended Glenn Oak Community College and was a veteran of the U.S. …

William K. Grant, age 54, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday evening, Feb. 18, 2014, at Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation Community in Centreville. He was born Jan. 16, 1960 in LaGrange, Ind., a son of William and Joyce (Ehret) Grant. Bill resided in the Sturgis and Elkhart, Ind., area his whole life and was a member of Sturgis High School class …