A Vandalia woman reported missing last week has been located. Cass County Sheriff Joe Underwood said Ramona Huffman, 48, is safe and no longer considered a missing person. Huffman was last seen shortly after 9 p.m. Oct. 11, when she left her home to walk to a nearby gas station. Underwood said Huffman left on her own free will and …

A Three Rivers man was seriously injured after attempting to avoid a deer in the roadway last week in Florence Township. Sheriff’s officials said Tawron Johnson, 29, was driving north on Lutz Road at 5:40 a.m. Thursday when his vehicle swerved to avoid the deer. The vehicle crossed the centerline and left the west side of the road before it …

Jack Steven Alderson, age 38, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016, in Sturgis. He was born Nov. 5, 1977, in Aurora, Ill., a son of James “Bob” and Diana (Nelson) Alderson. Jack resided in Sturgis for the past five years, coming from Three Rivers, where he was a graduate of Three Rivers High School with the class …

Mr. Leon “Lee” E. Kline III, passed away peacefully on Friday, Oct. 14th, 2016 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Lee was born on November 6, 1966 in Three Rivers the son of Leon E. (Ernie) Kline Jr. and Mary (Verheul) Kline. Lee attended Three Rivers Schools and was a lifelong avid car and racing fan. He loved …

David Edward Horstman, age 57, of Sturgis, went home to be with his Lord and Savior unexpectedly Thursday morning, Oct. 13, 2016, at the Sturgis Hospital Emergency Room. He was born Nov. 4, 1958, in Austin, Texas, son of the late John and Anna (Burke) Horstman, Sr. For the past four years, David had been employed by Medilodge of Portage. …

Fred Mandigo Jr., age 94, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday evening, Oct. 13, 2016, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. He was born Aug. 3, 1922, in Sturgis, son of the late Fred and Ida Charlotte (Grant) Mandigo. He grew up in Klingers, Mich., where his family had a general store. He took guitar lessons from Jay Stacy for several …

Josephine E. Copenhafer, age 89, of Colon, passed away Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. Josephine was born March 7, 1927, in Orland, Ind., a daughter of the late John and Bernice (Inde) McLatcher. On June 25, 1949, she married Robert Copenhafer in Coldwater. He preceded her in death March 22, 2005. Josephine had lived in …

Westly George III, 29, of Three Rivers, was sentenced to prison last week for the 2015 shooting death of Eugene Jackson in Three Rivers. He was sentenced by 45th Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman. George was ordered to life for the murder, and also sentenced to three, 4- to 20-year terms on the charges of possession of firearm by a …

The 11th season of the household hazardous waste collection in St. Joseph County ended Saturday on a quiet note. Pat Kulikowski, secretary of the St. Joseph County Solid Waste Committee, said the fall collection historically generates less volume overall compared to the April event. But, she noted, Saturday was a different kind of slow. Approximately 400 tires were collected, slightly …

A mausoleum was vandalized last week at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis. Police said a substantial amount of spray-painted graffiti was found at 8 a.m. Friday on the Franks mausoleum. Sturgis city commissioner Rob Sisson said he was outraged over the incident. He said whoever is responsible for the vandalism will be found and held accountable to the fullest extent …