Larry L. Sanford, age 75, of Colon, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018, at his home. Larry was born March 13, 1942, in Sturgis, a son of the late Marshall L. and Marie (Snow) Sanford. He had lived most of his life in the Colon area, graduating from Colon High School with the class of 1960. On Aug. 12, …

Randy Lee Jansen, age 57, passed away unexpected Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018. Randy was born Aug. 21, 1960 in Three Rivers to John M. Jansen and Sharon M. Jansen. Randy was a graduate of Three Rivers High School and an employee of Precision Wire. Randy loved playing with his grandchildren and watching their sporting events. He also loved spending time …

I think too much emphasis is placed on going to college these days. It’s important to further one’s education, but why should it be college? There are several alternatives. We are in dire need of tradespeople. There are many trade schools out there where one could learn to be an electrician, plumber, welder, or machinist, plus many more trades that …

The Three Rivers Fire Department is remembering a former chief whose leadership was recalled with high regard. Danny Cross served as chief from 1992 to 2008. He passed away Dec. 8 in Texas following a career that spanned four decades. The 68-year-old Cross was credited for his focus on improving the city’s ambulance service, helping bring the city’s current ladder …

Students in the welding program at Glen Oaks Community College are learning welding techniques on a new welding simulator thanks to the generosity of a $20,000 donation from Morgan Olson LLC. Through the use of the simulator, students virtually train with different types of welding on a computer screen before applying hands-on training in the school’s welding lab. Morgan Olson …

Glen Oaks Community College’s Board of Trustees voted Thursday to approve in-district tuition rates for all high school students, regardless of their residence. Glen Oaks president David Devier said the college has been approached by high schools outside its service area to offer dual-enrollment classes and the Early Middle College program. Those outlying areas include Kalamazoo, Calhoun, Branch and Elkhart …

A Niles man was injured after his car went off the road due to icy conditions last week in Cass County. Sheriff’s officials said 56-year-old Walter Langheinrich, of Niles, was driving on Leet Road, north of U.S. 12 at 9 p.m. Thursday, when his vehicle went out of control, struck a mailbox and rolled over. He was extricated from the …

KALAMAZOO, MI – The Kalamazoo Wings (26-17-2-2) started the weekend off right by defeating the Brampton Beast 4-2 on Friday night  at the Powerade Centre in Ontario. Anton Cederholm scored a pair of goals while Aaron Irving and Eric Kattelus each added a goal of their own in the win.  Michael Garteig was in goal for the K-Wings, stopping 20 …

Five people were arrested following the execution of a search warrant at a Sturgis residence. St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said SCAN members last week went to the 500 block of Susan Avenue to apprehend Renee Garten for a narcotics-related warrant. SCAN unit members confirmed she and a number of other people were inside the residence. Garten, however, allegedly refused …

Sondra T. Pierce, 68, of Centreville, passed away on Thursday, February 8, 2018 at Fairview Nursing Home. She was born in Kendallville on August 9, 1949, a daughter of the late Carl and Glema (Preston) Hochstetler. Sondra graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1968. On February 25, 1983, she married Don Pierce in Centreville. He preceded her in death …