Michigan would spend $20 million to upgrade security at up to 400 schools, expand a tip line that lets students report threats and require schools to incorporate behavioral health assessments into their procedures under a plan Gov. Rick Snyder outlined on Monday. The proposal was developed in the wake of the shooting massacre at a Florida high school in February …

Robert Goettsche, age 96, of Sturgis, passed away peacefully Sunday evening, April 15, 2018, at Drew’s Place in Coldwater. He was born Dec. 29, 1921, in Detroit, a son of the late August and Beulah (Leatherberry) Goettsche. Robert resided in Detroit until his enlistment in the U.S. Army. He served during World War II as a member of the 9th Reconnaissance Calvary Troop …

Thomas C. Giles III, age 62, of Constantine, passed away on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at Borgess Medical Center. He was born in Middletown, OH on September 24, 1955, son of Thomas and Nina (Lindsay) Giles, Jr. Tom graduated from Marcellus Schools in 1973. On July 1, 2000, he married Kathy (Kaper) Lusk in Constantine. Tom was employed at Keystone …

Ralph H. Ford, age 74, of White Pigeon, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, April 10, 2018 in St. Joseph. He was born May 22, 1943, in Joliet, Ill., a son of Gaylord and Margaret (Brown) Ford. In 1961, he graduated from Paw Paw High School, and he was an Air Force veteran. Over the years, Ralph owned and operated several restaurants, …

Karen Ann Stukey, age 75, of Sturgis, was called home Saturday morning, April 14, 2018, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis, to be with her Lord and her husband Mel who was waiting to welcome her home to glory. She was born June 10, 1942, in Akron, Ohio, daughter of the late Ralph and Eunice (White) Fraylick, the oldest of …

Richard Abram Schwartz died peacefully at home in Three Rivers on Thursday, April 12, 2018 of complications from ALS. He was 83. Richard is survived by his wife, Ilze Knezinskis Schwartz; children, Anna Schwartz (Eric Rubin), Katrina Schwartz and Mara (Schwartz) Kore (Erik Kore); brother, Robert Schwartz (Nancy Hoffman); and grandchildren, Amanda, David and Rebeka Kore and Lena and Maia …

Marvin J. Smith, age 80, of Burr Oak, passed away Saturday, April 14, 2018, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born April 25, 1937, in Bronson, Mich., son of the late Emmett and Viola Smith. Marvin was a lifelong Bronson and Burr Oak area resident and was a graduate of Bronson High School with the class of 1955. Most …

A 48-year-old Cass County resident was charged with a methamphetamine-related offense last week in Mason Township. The Cass County Drug Enforcement Team responded Wednesday to the 70000 block of Sterling Drive to execute a search warrant. Detectives located a marijuana-grow operation that was in compliance with Michigan’s Medical Marijuana Act. However, methamphetamine and methamphetamine paraphernalia were located in a bedroom …

State Rep. Aaron Miller, chair of the House Elections and Ethics Committee, said a plan approved by the committee last week would modernize Michigan’s voter-registration system by giving qualified voters the option to register online. Miller said requiring residents to fill out a paper form to register to vote is an antiquated process and is actually less secure than an …

The Michigan State Police “Citizens’ Academy,” an eight-week program that gives citizens the opportunity to become familiar with the mission and operation of Michigan State Police, is beginning a new session next month. The program will teach participants to understand the procedures troopers follow, increase their awareness of law enforcement’s role in the community and get to know personnel at …