Jonathan Robert Hakala, 36, of White Pigeon, Mich., died Tuesday, June 25, 2013, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, Mich., from complications resulting from a motorcycle accident. Jon was born Dec. 19, 1976, in Elkhart, Ind. He graduated from White Pigeon High School in 1996. Jon is survived by his parents, John and LuAnn (Waterman) Hakala of White Pigeon; grandmothers Barbara …

Hi. I am a stray who was brought to Animal Control a few weeks ago. They have been calling me Thurman, but you can call me whatever you want. I am very special because I have only three legs. That makes me pretty unique but it doesn’t stop me from getting around just fine. I am a male, tri-color beagle …

Ralph Dean Jr., went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 21, 2013. He passed away peacefully with his family at his side. He was born in Three Rivers on July 18, 1930 the son of Ralph and Carmelita Dean. Visitation will be held Friday, July 5 from 6-8 p.m. at the Jowett Family Funeral …

Sara A. Fletcher, age 87, of Wallace, South Carolina passed away Wednesday, June 19th, 2013 at Whispering Pines Nursing & Rehabilitaion Center, Fayetteville, NC. She was born on February 9, 1926, a daughter of the late Augustus and Mary Adams . Sara graduated from Columbus High School during the depression and went to work helping to support her family. She …

Glen Oaks Community College officials voted to accept the retirement of president Gary Wheeler effective June 30, 2014. The date is one year earlier than Wheeler’s originally planned final day as GOCC president. Wheeler, who joined the Centreville-area junior college in 2008, voluntarily moved his retirement date 12 months sooner. The offer was affirmed by board members during a special …

Cass County Sheriff’s officials investigated an accidental shooting Wednesday night in Calvin Township. Sheriff Joe Underwood Jr. said 17-year-old Christopher Burnham of Cassopolis was shot in the abdomen after a .22-caliber rifle was accidentally discharged by his 20-year-old cousin, Jeremy Faye, of Cassopolis. Faye told investigators he was checking the rifle to ensure it was clear of ammunition and the …

A Sturgis man and a Three Rivers resident were charged with methamphetamine-related offenses after they were stopped Wednesday in Three Rivers. Police said the men were observed entering businesses and purchasing items typically used in the production of meth. Their vehicle was pulled over and searched. Troopers from the Michigan State Police discovered in the back of the truck a …

Edna Claire Strobel, age 94, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 27, under loving care at the Birch Adult Foster Care home where she had been a resident for six and a half years. Edna was born on October 21, 1918 to Alfred and Eunice (Chamberlain) Avery. On March 24, 1940 she married Frederick Perrin Strobel at her parents home. …

Authorities say an unlicensed teenage driver failed to yield at a stop sign in southwestern Michigan, causing a crash that killed another motorist. The Cass County sheriff’s department says the crash happened Wednesday afternoon in LaGrange Township. The department says the vehicle driven by the 15-year-old girl from Eau Claire collided with one driven by 40-year-old Adam Koppy of the …

Authorities say a 20-year-old man accidentally shot his 17-year-old cousin in southwestern Michigan while checking a rifle to make sure it was unloaded. The Cass County sheriff’s department says the boy was listed in stable condition after being shot in the abdomen on Wednesday night in Calvin Township. The man told investigators that he thought the gun was clear of …