A 42-year-old Kalamazoo County man is headed to prison for killing his wife after an argument over cooking dinner. John Kovach of Comstock Township was sentenced to 18 to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty on September 5 to second-degree murder and the felonious use of a firearm. Police found the body of 40-year old Nancy Kovach in the …

Patricia A. Babbs, age 78, of Sarasota, Fla., and formerly of Colon, passed away Friday, Sept. 27, 2013, at Tarpon Point Nursing Home in Sarasota. Pat was born Nov. 8, 1934, in Yost Station, Ohio, a daughter of the late Clancy and Estella Maruerite (Shrider) Hursey. On Jan. 29, 1960, she married Arthur G. Babbs in Glenford, Ohio, and they …

The society of Certified Insurance Counselors (CIC) recently honored Rodney Chupp, CIC, of Chupp Insurance Agency in Sturgis for dedication and leadership in the insurance industry. Mr. Chupp was awarded a certificate of achievement, recognizing five consecutive years of active affiliation with the Society of CIC. The CIC designation carries commitment to advanced knowledge and customer service. The Society’s President, …

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 …