Thomas Woodrow Brothers, Sr. passed away peacefully in his sleep at his beloved home on Sand Lake, surrounded by cherished friends and family on Friday, January 26, 2018. He was 74 years old and lived a full and interesting life of adventure and joy with people he loved dearly. Born on January 10, 1944 in Sturgis to Ishmael C. & …

Jerald H. Bultman, age 77, of Dowagiac, passed away on Sunday, January 28, 2018. He was born January 26, 1941 in Niles, MI, the son of Henry Herman and Alice Lucille (Weaver) Bultman.  On August 27, 1960 in Mishawaka,   he married Julie M. Shepard who survives. He was a member of the Marcellus V.F.W. Post 4054 and the American Legion.  …

Betty Jane DeHuff, age 85, of South Haven, died Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. She was born in Mendon on Feb. 14, 1932 the daughter of Allen J. and Cora M. (Thomas) Carlisle. Betty was married to Gilbert Duane DeHuff on July 29, 1950 in Centreville and they resided in Three Rivers until Gilbert’s death on Dec. 10, 2005. Betty was …

Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners earlier this month fulfilled their annual financial commitment to a pair of dependent agencies. During the board’s Jan. 16 meeting, it authorized an appropriation of more than $250,000 to Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of St. Joseph County. The budgeted funds will be distributed through quarterly transfers by the …

Troopers from Michigan State Police are looking into the theft of a car last week from a business in Mottville Township. Investigators said they were notified at 10:05 p.m. Wednesday about a car taken from the Marathon gas station in the 11000 block of U.S. 12. The victim told authorities she was inside the station paying the cashier and her …

The St. Joseph County Commission on Aging recently received a $750 donation from Farmers State Bank in Sturgis.  The money was raised by the employees at the bank. The donation will go toward benefiting COA members and the activities and other programs in which they participate. On Wednesday, January 24, representatives from the bank presented the check to the COA …

The second annual Trivia Night, organized by the St. Joseph County United Way, drew a full house at nearly 150 people Saturday. The $30-per-person cost, 50/50 ticket sales and proceeds from a silent auction all went to the Five Star Pizza Adoption Fund. In all, more than $5,000 was raised. Carl Thornton, owner of Five Star Pizza in Colon, said …

The Kalamazoo Wings (22-15-2-2) battled their long-time rival, the Fort Wayne Komets (27-13-2-0) on Friday night.  The K-Wings used a strong third period to power past the Komets 7-4.  The K-Wings have won all three against the Komets so far this season and have outscored them 21-10 in those three meetings. Wasting little time, the K-Wings took an early 1-0 …

The Michigan Department of Transportation says $384 million in track improvements have led to faster train speeds and reduced travel times to Chicago. The Amtrak Wolverine route, which runs from Detroit to Chicago, has reduced transit time by 20 minutes, said Michael Frezell, a department spokesman. The Blue Water route, which runs from Port Huron to Chicago, has been reduced …

Members of the Centreville Village Council voted recently to raise monthly water rates. A fixed-fee increase of $3.18 plus another $1.55 per 1,000 gallons used. Those figures will increase annually, based on cost of living. A rate comparison done for council members showed their bills increasing between $5 and $10 per month under the new plan. The increase was based on …