Joseph Wayne Hittler, age 66, of Sturgis, passed away in the loving comfort of family at his home on Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. He was a dignified man, who died as he lived. He was born in Toledo, Ohio, on June 23, 1950, a son of Joseph and Josephine (Lasko) Hittler. He graduated from Bedford High School of Temperance, Mich., …

It is hard to believe, but this past August marked my tenth anniversary of writing this column for the Three Rivers Commercial-News. One of my many dreams was to become a writer. I still have that dream, but my ideas for plays, a TV show and a book are still unwritten and sitting in the back of my mind. A …

The Michigan appeals court says the state’s child-abuse law doesn’t apply to unborn babies. The court threw out the conviction of a woman who used methamphetamine during her pregnancy. Melissa Jones’ son weighed less than 4 pounds despite being delivered at full term in Sturgis in St. Joseph County. In a 3-0 decision released Friday, the court says Michigan law …

A southwestern Michigan couple pleaded guilty to animal cruelty after authorities removed 108 dogs and several other animals from their rural home. Donald Smith and his wife Melissa Copen entered pleas Thursday in an agreement with prosecutors in Van Buren County. WWMT-TV reports they’re expected to serve probation and won’t be allowed to keep animals. Sheriff’s deputies and animal control …

Ronald Thompson, age 75, died on Thursday, September 29, 2016. Graveside Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, October 7, 2016 at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, MI. Arrangements by Hohner Funeral Home.

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Wayne McLauchlin, age 85, of Sturgis, passed away early Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 27, 2016, at his home surrounded by his family following an extended illness. He was born May 30, 1931, in Sturgis, Mich., son of the late Garnard and Myrtle (Wittenberg) McLauchlin. Wayne was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of …

Completion of one of two major road projects in St. Joseph County is going to be delayed by two weeks. The other, however, is on schedule and should be completed by the end of next week. St. Joseph County Road Commission Manager Chris Minger said the crew working on reshaping the two-thirds of a mile of Lovers Lane has run …

The city of Sturgis raised nearly $4,000 this month on the sale of 39,000 century-old bricks. City Manager Mike Hughes said the auction of 120 pallets of reclaimed street bricks garnered more money than officials expected. Proceeds will be dedicated to the city’s ongoing street projects. The bricks were recovered when the city reconstructed aging brick streets, primarily South Nottawa …

Individuals from several area agencies gathered together this month and pledged to put an end to veteran homelessness in St. Joseph County. Nick Metzger, who chairs the St. Joseph County Housing Task Force, said those in attendance gathered to take action on a goal to end veteran homelessness. Stoney Summey, director of St. Joseph County Veterans Services, said he had …