A proposal to allow Michigan’s state lawmakers to cast legislative votes from their home districts instead of only at the Capitol building has been suggested. Mackinac Center for Public Policy President Joseph Lehman proposed the concept last week. The option, he said, would give lawmakers more flexibility to divide their time between the districts and Lansing. Removing the geographic voting …

The St. Joseph County Literacy Council has hired J.P. Yoder as its new executive director. Yoder’s first day on the job was Thursday. He replaces Rebecca Lilly, who retired earlier this year. Yoder spent nine years in the 1980s and ‘90s as administrator at Thurston Woods senior-living center in Sturgis. He has also served on executive boards of several non-profit …

A Burr Oak High School student graduated last month with perfect attendance throughout his K-thru-12 education. Brandon Hernandez said the only exception was excused absences during Fair Week. Hernandez said he values his work in 4-H but would have quit the organization if it meant losing his standing of perfect attendance. Hernandez said his mother is a kindergarten teacher in …

The Three Rivers 139-foot water tower, located on Broadway, is sporting a new coat of paint. Fedewa, a firm located in Hastings, was awarded the $122,000 contract. Engineering costs totaled $13,000. The tower, which was constructed in 1964, is repainted, on an average, every 15 years.

Larry John Simon, born to John and Beth (Stanard) Simon on August 28, 1941, passed away peacefully on September 30, 2016, after a year-long battle with lung cancer. He is survived by his best friend and wife of 32 years, Bonnie; children Becky Acar, Melissa (Joel) VanKlompenberg, Brad (Xuemei) Simon, Tim (Cindy) Proctor, Darci (Pete) Cleveland, Cindy Martin, brother Barney …

Authorities say a 71-year-old man has died after falling from a sailboat while working on the vessel at a marina in southwestern Michigan. The Allegan County sheriff’s department says John Edward DeBoer of Kalamazoo was found in Kalamazoo Lake less than 15 minutes after falling Thursday. He was taken by ambulance to a hospital, where the sheriff’s department says he …

Charlene E. Finch, 88, of White Pigeon, died Thursday, June 1, 2017, at Sturgis Hospital. She was born April 11, 1929, in Sturgis, a daughter of Carl V. and Bernice (Barnes) Crampton. She lived in the White Pigeon area most of her life. A graduate of White Pigeon High School in 1947, she went on to graduate from Elkhart Business …

Barbara A. Colpetsir, age 82, of Colon, passed away Friday, June 2, 2017, at her home, following a terminal illness. She was born July 14, 1934, in Kendallville, Ind., a daughter of Leland and Martha (Krueger) James. Her early life was spent in Constantine, where she graduated from Constantine High School. On Dec. 24, 1952, she married Clayton C. Colpetsir …

Helen Virginia Huskey passed away on Friday, June 2nd, 2017, at the age of 91 in Alamo Nursing Home of Alamo Township, MI. She was born on August 23rd, 1925, the daughter of the late Buster Thomas and Lula Evelyn (Hudgen) Long. Helen is preceded in death by her husband of 39 years Curtis Huskey, son Barry Huskey, and siblings …

Henrietta Hamminga, age 80, of Mendon, passed away Wednesday, May 31, 2017 surrounded by her loving daughters. She was born in Cook County, Illinois on March 26, 1937 the daughter of Garmt and Henrietta (Vienstra) Hamminga. She graduated from Mendon High School with the Class of 1954. Henrietta worked at the Upjohn Company in Kalamazoo, and the Haas Corporation in …