A suspect believed to be behind the armed robbery of a Sturgis bank last week is in custody. According to a media release from the Sturgis Police Department, a citizen’s tip led to the apprehension of a 41-year-old man Friday at a store in Three Rivers. The bank robbery occurred Wednesday morning at Sturgis Bank and Trust on South Centerville …

A Sherwood Township man surrendered to authorities following a child-abuse incident earlier this summer in Branch County. State police said 24-year-old James William Smith turned himself in last week on two charges of child abuse. The original incident occurred June 18 in the 200 block of Wheatfield Road in Sherwood Township. The arrest stems from an incident in which a …

The latest acknowledgment for the state-champion Centreville High School softball squad was bestowed by the Centreville Lions Club during its monthly meeting last week. Lion Al Murk and his wife, Trudy, were responsible for organizing Wednesday’s affair and providing all the food served to the group of about 100 people. Afterward, the players and their parents were treated to a …

Police are warning residents to beware of phone calls that threaten action from the Internal Revenue Service or a federal agency. Sturgis police officials said the department has received multiple reports of the recent telephone scam. IRS and law enforcement do not contact people by phone requesting money or referencing outstanding warrants or tickets. Police said residents should not provide personal information …

A January trial date has been set in the case of an Uber driver charged with killing six people in Michigan after a prosecutor said he won’t appeal a decision that keeps a lid on parts of a police interview. Kalamazoo County prosecutor Jeff Getting says it’s time to bring the “matter to trial without further delay.” The shootings occurred …

Marcia Lee Arend passed peacefully on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018 after a short illness. She is survived by her beloved husband, Earl Arend; a daughter Jeanine Lugo (Nobel) of Indianapolis; a son, David Arend (Telka) of Lansing; a granddaughter, Saige Arend, step-grandchildren Robert Lugo (Leslie) and Melissa Ervin (Bryan); step-great-grandchildren Joseph Lookabaugh, Jacob, Jarrin and Jacen Ervin, and Austin, Olivia …

Lorraine L. Mast, age 77, of Sturgis, formerly of White Pigeon, died at 2:45 a.m. Friday, August 10, 2018 at Thurston Woods Village. She was born December 4, 1940, in Souderton, Pa., to Mahlon and Edna (Lapp) Detweiler. On September 12, 1970, she married Omer Mast in Goshen, Ind. He survives in Sturgis. In addition to her husband, surviving are …

I’m baaaaaack. Honestly, I am not sure if anyone really missed my columns, but I admit, I sure missed writing them.  Where have I been? Good question. To use a tired excuse, I was just busy. As my children grow, so does their participation in activities.   Between driving them here, there and everywhere, attending their many events, work, and all …

Nancy Jean Hughes, age 55, died January 4, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. She was born in Sturgis on December 4, 1963 the oldest daughter of Michael T. and Norma Jean (Rexford) Hughes. Nancy lived in St. Joseph County for most of her life. She loved her family, especially her grandchildren. She liked to crochet and made afghans for all …

Gene L. Westover, age 72, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, at Thurston Woods Village. He was born March 16, 1946, in Albany, Ore., a son of the late Norman and Etta (Nofziger) Westover. Gene graduated from Lebanon, Ore., High School with the class of 1965 and had been a resident of Sturgis since 1967. On Oct. 25, …