Peter T. Stutzman, age 74, of Colon, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016, at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo, after a bicycle accident. Peter was born Feb. 27, 1942, in Chicago, a son of the late King C. and Frances C. (Thornton) Stutzman. Peter grew up in Chicago, graduating in 1959 from University of Chicago High School. He studied philosophy at …

Robert R. “Rob” Rockelein, age 55, formerly of Leonidas died Friday, Sept. 16, 2016 at Three Rivers Health. He was born in Sturgis on July 6, 1961 the son of the late Joseph L. and Alice M. (Kelly) Rockelein and was a lifetime resident of St. Joseph County. Rob attended the Pathfinder Center in Centreville and later worked at ARCH …

Two major road projects in St. Joseph County will begin next week. Motorists in the Lockport Township area will notice the first task Monday, when crews from Niblock Excavating start the chore of replacing two-thirds of a mile of Lovers Lane from Enterprise Drive east to Buckhorn Road. Chris Minger, manager of the St. Joseph County Road Commission, said the …

A St. Joseph County tradition that started in the mid 1800s continues next week, as the St. Joseph County Grange Fair begins Sunday. The opening-day grandstand attraction is farm truck pulls, which starts at 4 p.m. Other highlights include traditional favorites such as the Miracle of Birth Tent, free music, and, of course, food, rides and midway games. Fair manager …

A bill sponsored by State Rep. Aaron Miller to more equally appropriate funds for county mental-health services has received the support of four St. Joseph County Community Mental Health officials before the House Committee on Appropriations. House Bill 5118 changes the way the state calculates its contribution for services provided by Community Mental Health Service Programs, basing the funds on …

Coldwater will soon be the new home of a public health dental center operated by My Community Dental Centers, Inc. on behalf of the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency. The center will serve children and adults enrolled in Medicaid, including Delta Dental Healthy Kids, MiChild and the Healthy Michigan Plan, as well as residents with low-income or who are uninsured. …

Mr. Ralph Dean Haag, age 85, of Marcellus, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 12, 2016 at Grace Riverview Manor.  He was born on Oct. 1, 1930 in Mongo, IN., the son of the late William Harley and Edna Bell (Gochenhaur) Haag. On Sept. 20th, 1956 Dean was united in marriage to the love of his life, Dolores.  He was …

Hello there. I’m Lydia and I am a black and white female jack russell terrier. I’m about 7 years old and a bit plump. I’m very friendly and like to be with people. I am very sweet and not overactive like some younger dogs. It surely would be nice to have a loving home as I grow older. Please come …

Mendon Township resident Carol Higgins has announced her candidacy for state representative for Michigan’s 59th District, which includes all of St. Joseph County and most of Cass County. A Democrat, Higgins is challenging freshman incumbent Aaron Miller of Sherman Township. Miller is representing the Republican party. Higgins, a retired teacher from Marcellus Community Schools, is chair of the St. Joseph …

A 28-year-old Sturgis man was charged with drug-related offenses following a traffic stop this week. Sheriff’s officials said the man was stopped on Maple Street near Chicago Road in the city of Sturgis at 11:53 p.m. Tuesday for defective equipment. With the assistance of K-9 officer Tucky, deputies found methamphetamine, marijuana and more than $9,000 in lottery tickets suspected to …