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. …

Christmas is coming and I hope to have a new home to celebrate in.  They call me Ralphie, I am a lab/hound mix.  The Animal Control people got my neuter surgery and Rabies vaccination so I am all ready for a new home.  I am about two years old, fifty pounds and tri colored.  I am interested in activities around …

St. Joseph County’s board of commissioners have approved a dedicated millage to fund the parks and recreation department. Tuesday’s action means an additional one-quarter of a mill will be imposed countywide in 2018. Over its four-year life, the millage is expected to generate about $485,000 annually. Commissioners said the move will ease constraints on the general fund while helping parks and …

The St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit found evidence of a marijuana-growing operation at the scene of a Nov. 28 homicide. During the course of their investigation into the homicide in the 27000 block of Maystead Road in Sherman Township, SCAN members confiscated a large volume of marijuana that police say is far beyond medical-marijuana limits. Investigators also seized equipment used …