Jerry Walter Whitley, age 68, of Colon, passed away unexpectedly Friday, Nov. 9, 2018. A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018, at Lakeside Cemetery in Colon. The family was assisted by Schipper Funeral Home.

Gerald James Ross Jr., age 70, of Burr Oak, passed away early Saturday morning, Nov. 10, 2018, at Goshen Hospital. He was born Aug. 14, 1948, in Alma, a son of the late Gerald James and Beatrice (Oswald) Ross. Jerry resided in the Sturgis and Burr Oak area since 1989, coming from St. Louis, Mich., where he had lived his …

Holiday celebrations are often joyous occasions that families look forward to all year, but they can be challenging for the millions of people living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Alzheimer’s disease affects an estimated 5.7 million people in the U.S., and more than nearly 16 million people care for someone with the disease. “The hustle …

Members of the Constantine Village Council last week discussed the idea of appointing people to fill the positions of clerk and treasurer, instead of electing them. Village manager Mark Honeysett said no one sought the treasurer position in the Nov. 6 election. He said the treasurer has to be a village resident and at the moment, nobody has expressed interest …

As part of their “Celebrate Pink” annual fundraiser, Sturgis High School’s volleyball program generated more than $1,300 toward breast cancer research. This year’s event was Oct. 12 and fundraisers included a silent auction of donated items, a baked-goods sale and special concessions, said volleyball parents Emily Landess and Alisha Nettleman. The proceeds were donated to the United Way of St. Joseph …

The final three high school football teams in the area bowed out of the playoffs over the weekend. In Division 8, Mendon saw its season end with a 14-6 loss at Holton. The Hornets finished the season with a 7-5 record. Meanwhile, Colon traveled to Morrice in 8-man football and lost, 40-8. The deepest football playoff run in school history …

Sturgis Missionary Church has re-opened its computer lab for public use. Located at 67080 N. M-66, the lab is open 9-11 a.m. Thursdays and is available at no charge. The internet-accessible computers can be used to create a resumé, complete an online job application, apply for county or state services, and print materials for job or housing applications. A volunteer …

The Kalamazoo Wings (4-6-0-1) dropped a pair of games this past weekend.  On Friday night, the K-Wings fell to the Toledo Walleye by a score of 5-2 and then on Saturday to the Brampton Beast 4-2. It wasn’t a great weekend as we lost both games,” said K-Wings defenseman Kyle Bushee.  “I think we just need to be better on …

A Three Rivers resident and others were arrested early Wednesday following a traffic accident that appears to have been the result of drugged driving. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 1:45 p.m. to M-60 and Shore Acres Road in Penn Township. The driver, a 42-year-old Three Rivers resident, was driving west on M-60 when he lost control of …

A number of people were reappointed to various boards and committees following action Tuesday by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. Linda Leensvaart was reappointed to a two-year term to the county’s 911 Advisory Board. Her term will expire at the end of 2020. Meanwhile, Three Rivers-area resident Eric Shafer was reappointed to a three-year term to the St. …