A Sturgis psychologist was sentenced to 28 months in prison after pleading guilty to executing a health care fraud scheme. George Compton Jr., 63, was sentenced Nov. 21 by U. S. District Court Judge Gordon Quist. Compton had operated a psychology practice in Coldwater. In a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Compton was accused of billing numerous health care …

The remains of a Navy radioman killed in a World War II plane crash have been returned to his western Michigan hometown. A military escort carried the casket of Navy Reserve Aviation Radioman 2nd Class Albert Rybarczyk into a St. Joseph funeral home on Thursday. Military officials identified his remains in August from among wreckage found in 2014. Rybarczyk was …

Beverly Jean White, age 79, of White Pigeon, died Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017, at Safe Haven in Three Rivers, following an extended illness. She was born March 14, 1938, in Elkhart, Ind., a daughter of Charles and Irene (Whittier) Meyer. She lived all her life in the White Pigeon area and was a graduate of White Pigeon High School in …

Ralph Arnold Merkle Sr., age 80, of Colon, went home to be with his Lord Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017, at his home. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Shirley Merkle; his children, Jeanette (Don) Denney, Ralph (Roxanne) Merkle Jr., Keith (Dawn) Merkle, Robin (Doug) Greer and Barb (Duane) Wagner; grandchildren Candy (Craig) Cary, Heather Vaughn, Darick and …

Jane Louise (Koehler) Kemp, age 76, of Klinger Lake, Sturgis, passed away Sunday afternoon, Dec. 3, 2017, at Bronson Methodist Hospital. In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends to celebrate and honor Jane’s life from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21, at the Rosenberg Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 807 E. Chicago Road, …

Donald “Doc” J. Weidner, 67, of Constantine, passed away on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at Borgess Medical Center. Doc was born in Evergreen Park, IL on September 5, 1950, a son of Donald and Dolores (Tometich) Weidner. He graduated from Oak Lawn High School in 1968. After high school, he attended Washburn School to become an electrician. He worked for …

Sheriff’s deputies arrested a suspect earlier this week on drug-related charges. A vehicle was stopped Monday near the intersection of Arthur L. Jones and Corey Lake roads in Fabius Township. The driver, whose gender, age and community of residence was not stated in a department media release, was found to be driving on a suspended license. Upon a consent search …

The St. Joseph County United Way is offering a 50/50 Christmas Cash Raffle. The drawing takes place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Sturgis City Commission meeting. Tickets, which are one for $5 or three for $10, can be purchased at the United Way’s Centreville office. All proceeds benefit the local United Way agency.

Sheriff’s deputies made a traffic stop this week that led to a drug-related charge. According to a department media release, a traffic stop was conducted Tuesday near the intersection of Hoffman and Ruggles roads in Fabius Township. Upon a search of the vehicle, deputies found a plastic pen tube. The residue on its inside tested positive for methamphetamine. The suspect, …

Sturgis Hospital has announced the expansion of its Outpatient Infusion Services. Outpatient infusion therapy can save patients out-of-pocket expenses in comparison to inpatient hospitalization, emergency room services and home-health services. Patients who need regular injections or IV therapy already experience the inconvenience of having healthcare visits monthly, weekly or even daily, said Rob LaBarge, President and CEO of Sturgis Hospital. …