Barry W. Cheeks, age 64, of Constantine, died at 5:30 pm on Thursday, December 28, 2017 at Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation Community in Centreville.  He was born on May 14, 1953 in Welch, WV, to Charlie M. and Ethel Mae (Robinson) Cheeks. Survivors include his son, Earl Cheeks of Constantine; two grandchildren and several brothers. He was preceded in death …

Blanca Weaver, age 72, of White Pigeon, passed away at her home on Wednesday, December 27, 2017. She was born in Germany on January 22, 1945 to her late parents Gustav and Hella (Nuemer) Conradi. On March 6, 1963 she married Larry Weaver of Mishawaka. He preceded her in death January 15, 1987. You would always see her in the …

Two people were injured in a snowmobiling accident Wednesday night in Porter Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke’s office reported the incident happened after 8 p.m. on M-217 north of Wayne Street. Eric Black, 42, of Union, was reportedly northbound in a field east of M-217 when he lost control of his snowmobile, which resulted in him being thrown off and caused …

The Michigan State Police are continuing to investigate a breaking and entering that occurred in Sturgis Township last week. Troopers said the incident happened in the early morning hours of Dec. 19 in the 69000 block of Hazel St. Taken from the home were a JBL Bluetooth speaker, a Fitbit brand fitness watch that was still in the box it …

Roger “Rocky” Matheson Rathburn, age 55, passed away tragically on Tuesday, December 26, 2017.  He was born to Roger and Sally Rathburn on August 29, 1962 in Grand Rapids. Roger graduated from Hackett High School in 1981 where he met his high school sweetheart and lifelong love, Susan Reisterer. He graduated from Western Michigan University where he earned a Bachelors …

Hi! They call me Tutti here at Animal Control. I was found as a stray. I am a female and appear to be terrier and beagle. I am Tan and Black about five years old. I will need my spay surgery. The ladies here say I am housetrained, I know sit and shake, and I sit or lay quietly while …

Randy W Strawser, age 68, of White Pigeon, passed away Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 26, 2017, at his home. He was born on Sept. 28, 1949, at Sturgis Memorial Hospital. He has been a life-long resident of White Pigeon, graduating from White Pigeon Community Schools with the class of 1969. He attended Glenn Oaks Community College and was employed at Weyerhaeuser …

Roger Rathburn, superintendent at Mendon Community Schools, died Tuesday as a result of injuries stemming from an accident at Sauganash Golf Club. Police personnel were called to the golf club about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday after Rathburn was found on the ground by family members. They said it appears Rathburn was on a ladder, cutting branches from a tree more than 15 feet in the …

Sturgis High School teacher Patty Davidson has been named the 2017 John E. Oster award winner. The honor is handed out yearly for teaching excellence at Sturgis Public Schools and is given out by the Sturgis Rotary Club. Davidson has taught at SPS since 1987 and has shown innovation and success teaching classes like Women’s Fitness and Self Defense, Life …

The Cass County sheriff’s department responded to a two-vehicle accident Christmas Eve that sent three people to the hospital, including a 10-month-old baby. Authorities said Rayvon Collins, 28, of Niles, was traveling westbound on U.S. 12 when he lost control of his vehicle and crossed the center line, hitting Vanessa Vela, 24, of Elkhart, head-on. Three people were taken to …