John Andrew Cook, age 75, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday evening, Jan. 14, 2017, at his home, with his family at his side. He was born Dec. 29, 1941, in Chicago, a son of the late Frederick and Ruth (Grimes) Cook. John resided in Sturgis since 1970, coming from Schoolcraft. His early life was lived in Niles, where he was …

Colon village council members last week discussed the unreliable state of village hall’s telephone system, while village president Diane Downs said the office also needs a computer dedicated to village-related business. A general, unassigned office that Down uses in the village office does not have a landline telephone nor does it have a computer. Downs said with a search underway …

A vacancy on the Three Rivers City Commission remains unfilled, as there were no applicants who filed for the partial-term seat before a Friday deadline last week. City officials said the seat was previously held by Diane Clay, who stepped down Dec. 20 in light of her move to another part of the community. The issue is likely to be …

St. Joseph County residents later this year will likely be asked to support a millage request sought by the county’s E-911 Central Dispatch agency. County administrator Pat Yoder said Central Dispatch Director Dennis Brandenburg broached the subject during last week’s executive committee meeting. Yoder said the matter yielded substantial discussion that centered on a variety of needs Brandenburg noted. The …

Cass County prosecutor Victor Fitz formally charged 23-year-old Elkhart resident William Henderson with one count of open murder last week. Henderson is accused in Tuesday’s stabbing death of Juan Mendez, 24, who had lived in the Elkhart area as well as Puerto Rico. Mendez was stabbed early Tuesday during an altercation at Ameri-Kart in Cassopolis. After the stabbing, Henderson attempted …

Despite concerns about the cost for security and an inconvenience for county staff, St. Joseph County commissioners appear likely to stick with a later start time for its twice-a-month meetings. The issue of a 6 p.m. start time was discussed by commissioners during last week’s executive committee meeting after commissioner Kathy Pangle made a motion Jan. 3 to change the …

A busy weekend ended with a loss for the Kalamazoo Wings (16-18-1-3) on Sunday afternoon. The K-Wings find themselves in fifth place in the Central Division, four points out of a playoff spot. After falling to the Brampton Beast (20-13-2-2) on Friday night in overtime by a score of 5-4, the K-Wings hit the road traveling to Wheeling, West Virginia …

Harold F. Snyder, Junior, 68, of Three Rivers, and formerly of Goshen, passed away on Thursday, January 12, 2017 at his home.  He had struggled with heart failure the past eight years. He was born on January 30, 1948 in Goshen, the son of the late Harold F. and Lucille (Culp) Snyder. On July 1, 2000, he married June (Clark) …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, including Sheriff Brad Balk, acknowledged the passing of Mounted Division Lt. Terry Shelhamer. According to a department media release, Shelhamer died in a two-vehicle crash Wednesday after a semi pulled in front of his pickup in Bristol, Ind. Shelhamer’s granddaughter was a passenger and also injured in the accident. She was treated and released. …

A Colon Community Schools educator has been awarded state recognition. Officials with the Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association said Martha Hymer, principal at Colon Elementary School, has received the 2016 MEMSPA Region Honors Award from Region 4. This award is presented to a single member from each of MEMSPA’s fourteen regions who has merited such recognition as acclaimed …