Ann Marie Fields, age 61, of Scotts, and a former longtime Sturgis area resident, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, March 16, 2019, at her home. She was born Jan. 31, 1958, in Wyandotte, a daughter of the late Albert R. and Donelda (Bryan) Fields. Ann resided most of her life in the Sturgis, Burr Oak and Colon areas. She had been …

Linda Sue Kirkpatrick, 75, of Burr Oak, passed away Thursday, March 14, 2019, at home, surrounded by her loving family. A private memorial service will take place at a later date. The family is being cared for by Dutcher Funeral Home in Bronson. Linda was born Sept. 16, 1943, to Bill and Ilene (Tiner) Cooksey in Wabash, Ind. On Sept. …

Roger Wayne Lego, age 65, of Sturgis, passed away early Saturday morning, March 16, 2019, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born Nov. 26, 1953, in Sturgis, Mich., son of the late William A. and June (Shorey) Lego. Roger was a lifelong Sturgis resident. On Dec. 10, 1976, he married Therese Cummins in La Plata, Md. Roger …

Anna Mae Yoder, age 85, of Colon, passed away Saturday, March 16, 2019, at her home. Anna Mae was born Feb. 2,1934, in Shipshewana, a daughter of the late Jonas and Sylvia (Miller) Hostetler. On June 4, 1955, she married Ralph L. Yoder in Sturgis. He preceded her in death July 3, 2005. She had lived at her present address …

January’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County was one-half of a percent higher than the previous month. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed the county’s 4.5 percent January unemployment rate marked a decrease from December’s 4 percent. St. Joseph County was below the state unemployment average, which was 4.6 percent in January. …

A Nottawa Township residence was heavily damaged by fire over the weekend. Firefighters from a number of area departments responded around 11:30 a.m. Sunday to the 25000 block M-86. Additional information was not available by midday Monday.

An area farmer has been recognized for production through the 2018 National Corn Yield Contest. The national contest, sponsored annually by the National Corn Growers Association, recognizes farmers from across the country for their exceptional efforts. Marshall Landis of Schoolcraft placed first in the state in the No-Till/Strip-Till Irrigated Class with a yield of more than 288.8 bushels per acre. …

Charles D. Swihart, age 73 of Leonidas, died Saturday, March 16, 2019 at his home. He was born in Flowerfield Township on July 18, 1945 the son of the late Walter Harold and Ethel Maebelle (Ware) Swihart. He graduated from Colon High School and went to work for Reith-Riley Construction before joining the U.S. Army in 1967. He served in …

Max Elden Bessinger, age 89, of Three Rivers, MI passed away surrounded by his loving family in the morning hours of Friday, March 15, 2019. He was born on September 11, 1929 the son of Raleigh and Lydia (Eaglebarger) Bessinger in Marshall County, Indiana. Max was a life-long member of both the Fraternal Order of The Eagles and the Moose …

A 50-year-old Three Rivers man was arrested early Thursday after leading police on a chase that ended in White Pigeon Township. The pursuit concluded after the suspect’s vehicle rammed a police vehicle, prompting an officer to discharge his weapon. The officer had attempted to stop the pickup just after 2:30 a.m. near County Road 131 and State Road 120 in …