Police reports say a southwestern Michigan teen panicked when his gun went off and struck a friend in the chest, then the 17-year-old then fatally shot himself. The Kalamazoo Gazette, which obtained the reports through a records request, reported Monday a witness told police that Marsavious Frazier was showing Daquarion Hunter a gun and playing with it Sept. 5 when …

Khankham Luangrath, age 62, Sturgis, passed away Monday, September 19, 2016 at his home. He was born in Vientiane, Laos on June 25, 1954, to Feune and Peing Luangrath. An area resident since 1981, Khankham worked at Glen Oaks Community College, Sturgis Foundry Corporation for 20 years, and Pennzoni Display in Sturgis since 2006. He enjoyed fixing things, was a great …

With 6 1/2 days of rain-free weather, a strong offering of entertainment and an appeal to people from surrounding counties, the St. Joseph County Grange Fair concluded Saturday night for its 166th time. Fair manager Bill Johnson said there were a number of issues that kept him and his staff on their toes all week, from an electrical outage in …

A three-car crash Friday claimed the life of a 63-year-old Sturgis man. Deputies from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said a semi driven by David Hartman, 52, of Indiana, was eastbound on M-86 near Farrand Road in Colon Township. Hartman’s truck had slowed to turn left into a parking lot of Palomino Trailer around 11:15 a.m. A van driven …

The August unemployment rate in St. Joseph County decreased by 1 percent compared to a month earlier. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 3.7 percent August unemployment rate was less than July’s 4.7 percent. August’s unemployment rate was one-tenth of a percent less than the same month one year …

The Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Board of St. Joseph County is encouraging the public to attend its annual testimonial meeting Tuesday. Current and past clients are invited to share the positive impact they have realized from the services of the Centreville-based agency. The meeting portion of the event starts at 4:30 p.m., while the public hearing begins …

Dunham’s Sports, one of the nation’s largest sporting goods chains, is pleased to invite Sturgis, and the surrounding communities, to its grand opening weekend. The ribbon cutting will be hosted on Friday, September 30th at 9:00 a.m. at the new location at 69060 M-66. Store hours are Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. …

Terry Lee Saddison, age 68, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly Saturday afternoon, Sept. 24, 2016, at the St. Joseph County fairgrounds in Centreville, Mich. He was born March 2, 1948 in Sturgis, Mich., son of the late Vern and Dorothy Saddison. Terry was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1967. In …

Stacy Lee Weaver, 47, of Bronson ended his journey Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016, at his home while surrounded by his loving family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s of Assumption Church with Rev. Richard Fritz officiating. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, …

George E. Wattles, age 86, of Colon, passed away Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016, at Masonville Place Assisted Living in Coldwater. George was born Oct. 13, 1929, in Battle Creek, a son to the late Miles E. (Huck) and Lola (King) Wattles. He had lived all of his life in the Colon area graduating from Colon High School with the Class …