A Sturgis real-estate agent recently purchased more than 100 pairs of shoes and boots for local children in need. Stacy Schwenk, a realtor at Re/ Max Elite Group in Sturgis, had raised more than $1,500 to cover the cost of the purchases through a 5K walk/run fundraiser she calls Stacy’s Kicks for Kids. The walk/run took place Aug. 12 at …

This coming season of Kalamazoo Wings hockey will be dedicated to the memory of Ted and Martha Parfet, the team’s original owners. The Parfets, who built Wings Stadium (now known as Wings Event Center) and brought professional hockey to Kalamazoo in 1974, owned the team until 2000. Returning as owners in 2002, the couple owned the team until 2008 when …

Robert Arthur Patterson celebrated his 59th birthday on Monday, Sept. 25, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He passed away Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017, surrounded by the ones he laughed with, lived for and loved. Rob was born in Detroit and grew up in Belleville with his mother, Charma Patterson-Denison, and his father, Gary Denison; sisters Laura (William) Dudek-Bies; Lisa …

Jacqualyn J. Bower, age 89, of Burr Oak, passed away early Thursday , Sept. 28, 2017, at the Cox Medical Center in Branson, Missouri. She was born Jan. 23, 1928, in Coldwater, Mich., daughter of the late John and Blendena (Cummings) Gest. Jackie was a lifelong Burr Oak resident and a graduate of Burr Oak High School with the class …

William H. Routsong, age 47, of Greenbrier, Tenn., and formerly of the Sturgis area, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017. He was born Dec. 27, 1969, in Madison Heights, Mich., a son to Jerry H. and Gail (Hebel) Routsong. William graduated from Bronson High School with the class of 1988. He then attended Ferris State …

Three Rivers 54, South Haven 0 Edwardsburg 44, Plainwell 20 St Philip Catholic Central 60, Burr Oak 8 Schoolcraft 35 Constantine 8 Hartford 21, White Pigeon 14 Vicksburg 21, Paw Paw 12 Cassopolis 61, Marcellus 8 Mendon 49, Centreville 0 Athens 20, Colon 8

Chester C. Thomason, Sr., age 94, died on Monday,  September 25, 2017. Chester is survived by his sons Chester “Skip” Thomason Jr. and Corey O. Thomason.  Chester owned C&H Electric Contracting Co. of San Deigo, CA and was also a licensed hypnotist. He was a U.S. Navy “tin can sailor” during World War II and was a lifetime member of VFW# 1512, …

Deana M. Lillie, age 79, of Marcellus, passed away at home. She was born December 5, 1937, in Marcellus at the home of her Great-Grand Parents, Henry and Edith Eggleston and was the daughter of Milo Earl and Mary J (Barnhart) Gardner.  On June 22, 1958 in Marcellus, she married Albert V Lillie who preceded her in death in 2006. …

A Vicksburg resident was injured in a motorcycle accident earlier this week in Fabius Township. Sheriff’s officials said the 47-year-old victim was driving north on U.S. 131 at 4:25 p.m. Tuesday, when he was distracted by another motorist at the M-60 eastbound intersection. The motorcycle driver failed to negotiate the curve, and the motorcycle went off the roadway and overturned. …

The House Education Reform Committee has approved legislation by state Rep. Aaron Miller, expanding post-secondary education and dual-enrollment options for high school students. Miller said lawmakers should allow students the best education options to help them build their own future. He said legislators should do what’s best for all students who live within a reasonable distance from the state line. The …