Ann Martha (Tesarik) Stutsman, age 92, of Three Rivers, passed away Tuesday, February 18, 2020. She was born April 27, 1927 in Perrinton, MI, the daughter of Frank Tesarik and Lilli (Ondruka) Tesarik. She worked at Kalamazoo Spring in Kalamazoo and later at Kirsch in Middlebury. She loved being outdoors, cooking, baking, gardening, and spending time with her family. She …

James Robert Bender, age 43, of Three Rivers, passed away on Monday, February 17, 2020 at Three Rivers Health. He was born in Sturgis on March 23, 1976, a son of David and Joyce (Waters) Bender. Jim attended Three Rivers Schools. On June 30, 2018, he married Shawna Sweitzer at Bonneyville Mills in Bristol. Jim was a welder, working on …

I don’t want to brag, but the staff here say that I walk  on a leash the nicest of any dog they have seen here.  I am housebroke, but piddle when I get excited.  I am five years old.  I need a fenced in yard cause I like to run and run.  I am friendly and loving.  I have been …

Eight policies and plans drafted by the St. Joseph County Information Technology department were approved by county commissioners Tuesday. Presented by IT director Dustin Bainbridge, the several-page packet details specific policies related to Audit and Accountability; Change Management; Cyber Security Incident Response; Electronic Data Destruction and Sanitization; Information Technology Contingency; VPN Usage and Access; Wireless Access; and Workstation and Data …

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners approved an exception to its hiring freeze Tuesday, granting county clerk Lindsay Oswald permission to advertise for a deputy clerk. The circuit court employee supports case-flow management and court staff when necessary. Oswald said the position is currently held by Gloria Tate, who is retiring next month. After Tuesday’s meeting, she noted that Tate …

Several appointments and reappointments were made Tuesday by members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Dan Czajkowski and Mendon Township resident Roger Gentz were reappointed to the St. Joseph County Agricultural Preservation Board. Czajkowski’s term is for one year while Gentz will serve for a three-year period. Current member Carroll Parmeter, Flowerfield Township supervisor, declined reappointment as …

A handgun was stolen during a recent breaking-and-entering incident in Nottawa Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said the crime occurred Monday in the 22000 block of Riverside Drive. A department media release did not indicate the manner in which access to the residence was gained.

After a thrilling come-from-behind over the Toledo Walleye on Friday night, the Kalamazoo Wings (19-24-6-1) nearly pulled off two more exciting comebacks in their other two games this past weekend. Unfortunately for the K-Wings, they ended up losing both of those games. On Friday, the K-Wings jumped out to a 1-0 first period lead on a power play goal bby …

After revealing it had exceeded $1 million for its Campaign 2020, the St. Joseph County United Way announced its chairpersons for the agency’s next fundraising effort. Frank and Mary Kay Schultz, and Greg and Amy Hackman were introduced Tuesday at the United Way’s “Victory Celebration.” Sturgis residents, Frank Schultz works at his family-owned business, Retail Warehouse, while Mary Kay retired …

A longtime fast-food presence in Sturgis is closing at the end of the week. Burger King, located on South Centerville Road, will close at the end of the business day Saturday. Robert Snyder, general manager, said Tria Company of Battle Creek made the decision. Snyder said the closure affects him and another 20 employees. Some have invested 15 years there …