Barry D. Bradley, age 69, of Colon, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service is being planned and will be announced at a later date. The family is being assisted by the Schipper Funeral Home in Colon.

Republican lawmakers are renewing their attempt to let gun owners carry their weapons inside Michigan schools, day care centers and other gun-free zones. Fast-tracked legislation up for a vote in a Senate committee Tuesday would allow concealed pistol license holders with extra training to carry in nine areas that are currently off limits. The full Republican-led Senate plans to vote …

The National Weather Service says an EF2 tornado that covered 39 miles was among four twisters that hit Indiana.  It says the EF2 storm with estimated peak winds of 134 mph covered 31 miles Sunday in eastern Indiana’s Delaware, Blackford and Jay counties before crossing the state line and ending west of Celina, Ohio. The weather service says survey teams …

Wanna L. Heitkamp, age 82, White Pigeon, died Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017, at her home. She was born March 15, 1935, in Constantine, a daughter of Earl and Arlene (Redding) Keller. She had been a White Pigeon resident for the past 48 years coming from Three Rivers. On June 14, 1968, she married Richard C. Heitkamp in Three Rivers. She …

Officials say the discovery of about three dozen boxes of cremated remains in southern Michigan after the death of a funeral director isn’t being investigated as a potential criminal matter. Calhoun County Medical Examiner Dr. Joyce DeJong says the family of Joy Spencer Spoor discovered the cremains in storage after her Octotober 14 death. Spoor was a former owner of …

A Cassopolis man died after he was struck by a train last week in Cass County. Cassopolis Police Department Chief Brian LaValle said officers were called shortly after 5 a.m. Friday to railroad tracks at East State and Wolfe streets for a report of a northeast-bound train that struck a pedestrian. Police located the 63-year-old pedestrian, identified as Garry Shouse, …

State Rep. Aaron Miller last week said he will continue exploring options to lower car insurance rates for all Michigan drivers. Miller voted ‘yes’ on House Bill 5013, which would guarantee lower car insurance rates for all Michigan drivers – with the greatest savings going to seniors. The bill, however, did not pass in a vote late last week in …

A man charged with two murders in July has been found competent to stand trial. Zachary Michael Patten, 32, of Portage, also waived his preliminary during a recent hearing in St. Joseph County District Court. Prosecutor John McDonough said a status conference will be held by the end of November. Patten was found competent following a psychological evaluation at Center …

Gary Jay VanHeukelum, age 83, of Three Rivers, passed away suddenly at his home on Thursay, Nov. 2nd, 2017.  Gary was born on June 1, 1934 in Hudsonville, MI., the son of the late Louis and Johanna (Vruggink) VanHeukelum. Gary graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1952 and later from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor’s degree.  On Nov. …

Paul Kenneth VanOver, age 63, of Marcellus, passed away surrounded by family on the morning of Thursday, November 2, 2017. Paul was born December 18, 1953 to Lawrence and Gertrude (Butler) VanOver in Fort Worth, Texas. He spent a majority of his life here in Southwest Michigan. As a young man he lived in Florida where he met and married …