The Michigan Department of Natural Resources confirmed the catch of a new state record flathead catfish last week in Cass County. The catfish was caught Jan. 12 by Niles resident Dale Blakley on Barron Lake. It weighed 52 pounds and measured 46 inches. Blakley told DNR officials he was ice fishing for crappies when he landed the catch. The record …

Ardith Smoll, age 95, of Sturgis passed away Friday, January 17th, 2014 at Thurston Woods Village. She was born in Sturgis, on November 9, 1918, a daughter of William and Grace (Rost) Young. Ardith graduated from Sturgis High School in 1936. On September 5, 1937 she married Estel R. Smoll in Sturgis. He preceded her in death July 27, 1976. …

Kenneth Leroy Staffen, age 79, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 17, 2014 at Three Rivers Health following a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on Oct. 7, 1934 in Schoolcraft, MI., the son of Clive and Mildred (Barber) Staffen. Mr. Staffen has been a life time resident of Three Rivers. He served his country in …

Lloyd L. “Louie” Hart, age 83, of Mendon died Saturday Jan. 18, 2014 at his home following a brief illness. He was born near Colon, MI on July 30, 1930 the son of Cecil and Minnie (Broker) Hart. Lloyd served stateside with the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After returning home he was married to Maxine Williams on July …

Martha A. Krautwurst, 90, of Three Rivers, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014 at the Heartland Health Care Center surrounded by her loving family. She was born on Aug. 28, 1923 in Weisenfelde, Germany, the daughter of the late Daniel and Bronislawa (Stettinow) Komm. Mrs. Krautwurst was united in marriage to the late Alexander Krautwurst on March 2, 1950 …

Jerome C. Urbaszewski, age 74, of Klinger Lake, Sturgis, and a former Chicago, resident passed away peacefully early Sunday morning, Jan. 12, 2014, at his home. He was born Oct. 6, 1939, in Chicago, son of the late Joseph and Irene (Zimny) Urbaszewski and fond brother of five. His lifelong dream was achieved after retirement, of living on the lake, …

James Edward Perry, 77, of Bonita Springs, Fla., died Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2014, at Juniper Village at Naples. Jim had been a winter resident of Bonita Springs since 2002, also calling Sturgis home. James was born Aug. 14, 1936, in Burlington, Iowa, a son of the late Eugene and Bernarda (Niemann) Perry. Jim earned his bachelor of science degree from …

Four manufacturing companies based in St. Joseph County are among the recipients of $235,000 in training grants. The Kalamazoo-St. Joseph Michigan Works announced this week that the Skilled Trades Training grants, funded by Michigan’s Workforce Development Agency, will assist with training for in-demand jobs. The St. Joseph County companies receiving grant money are Vaupell Midwest Molding and Tooling of Constantine; …

The seven-member Colon Village Council took a tour of the rebuilt Curly’s bar and restaurant following its meeting Tuesday. Though the eatery is a month from reopening following a March fire that destroyed the original Curly’s, the replacement is taking shape nicely, owners Dan and Kathy Earl said. Many of the kitchen appliances are in place, flooring has been installed, …

Applications for the 2014 Sturgis Area Community Foundation scholarship program are now being accepted. Seniors at Sturgis High School are eligible for consideration and may pick up an application at the guidance office. Scholarships opportunities are also available to seniors attending school in Centreville, Mendon, Colon, Constantine, White Pigeon and Burr Oak. Applications may be obtained online at sturgisfoundation.org. Applications …