A Sturgis school teacher initially charged with fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct was sentenced last week by St. Joseph County Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman. Keith Lang was sentenced to four days with credit for time served and assessed $358 in court costs. In February, Lang pleaded no contest to one count of aggravated indecent exposure. As part of the plea …

Area agriculture students will soon gain valuable experience by farming more than 65 acres of ground on the campus of Glen Oaks Community College. More than 60 people attended a dinner meeting in late March to hear about the new opportunity for students and to learn about two agriculture-related programs on campus. Reid Leaverton, Ag Equipment Technology instructor, said the campus …

Constantine Fire Chief Mike Haydon was recently presented with the agency’s 2018 “Firefighter of the Year Award” by Bryan Hughey. Haydon was honored March 18 at an awards banquet at the station. Also honored with service pins were assistant fire chief Mark Moore, 25 years; Trevor Arnold, 10 years; Blake Piper, five years; and John Hofmeister, five years.

A Three Rivers teen will appear in court this week on a charge of armed robbery. St. Joseph County court officials said 17-year-old Austin Palmer has a preliminary examination scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday in St. Joseph County District Court. Palmer was arrested March 19 after he was confronted by security personnel at the Three Rivers Menard’s after allegedly attempting …

A southwestern Michigan man who was shot in the neck with an arrow while searching for deer antlers says he’s not sure if he was targeted or if the shooting was accidental. Michael Downey tells WWMT-TV that after being shot March 25 he grabbed the arrow’s shaft and “held it in place.” He made it to his car and drove for help. …

Betty L. Wheat, age 94, of Three Rivers, passed away on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 surrounded by her family. She was born in Grand Rapids on August 18th, 1923 to Charlie and Glenice Harrington. Betty was united in holy matrimony to her late husband, Verle H. Wheat, in Byron, Ohio on the 26th of April in 1941. Betty and Verle made …

Carl L. Timm, age 89, passed away peacefully in his home on Wednesday, April 4, 2018. He was born on Sept. 7, 1928 to Carl and Jennie (Lempke) Timm at 721 South Hooker Avenue in Three Rivers. In high school, “Timmber Timm” set the school basketball scoring record in 1947. In track and field, he was a regional champion in …

Dayton P. Baker, age 83 of Kline’s Resort died Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. He was born in Lawton on Aug. 30, 1934 the son of Donald J. and Vera E. (Pierson) Baker. He was a graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School. Dayton started his employment at Eckrich Meats. Later he joined the Upjohn company …

Jan Lowell Grossman, age 82, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday evening April 3, 2018, at his home. He was born July 5, 1935, in Sturgis, a son of the late Dale D. and Dorothy (Wilcox) Grossman. Jan was a lifelong Sturgis area resident and a graduate of Centreville High School with the class of 1954. On Dec. 27, 1958, …

Forrest Phillip (Phil) Meek, age 87, passed lovingly into the arms of his Lord and Savior on Saturday, March 31, 2018, at his home in Peoria, Ariz. He was surrounded by family members at the time of his passing. Forrest was born June 28, 1930, in Battle Creek, to Jack Wayne and Alma LaMoyne (Piatt) Meek. He graduated from Coldwater …