Probably the biggest event of the year, Water Festival, is two weeks away. It seems that it was only a month ago that the first committee meeting was held to start planning it. Now, the parade entrants are all in, and the packets are ready for pick-up. The car show is ready for nice weather, and it won’t be long …

Betty J. Wegner, age 78, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday evening, May 26, 2012, at Matthew 7:7 Limited in White Pigeon. She was born Jan. 3, 1934, in Bronson, the only daughter of the late Victor and Delcie (Johnson) Ware. Mrs. Wegner had resided in Sturgis for the past 50 years, coming from Colon, where she was a graduate of …

Stanley Gayheart, 44, of LaGrange, Ind., died Sunday, May 27, 2012, at Wesley Healthcare in Auburn, Ind. Mr. Gayheart was born June 12, 1967, in LaGrange, to Bill Sr. and Ruby (Terry) Gayheart. Living his lifetime in LaGrange County and St. Joseph County, Mich., he was an electrician at Abbott in Sturgis. He is survived by his parents, Bill Sr. …

State Police troopers were dispatched to a rural Sturgis home late Monday afternoon for a 43-year-old suicidal man who had reportedly doused his home with lighter fluid. His 39-year-old wife reported the incident at the home, located in the 70000 block of Bauman Road, after the man sprayed lighter fluid on the floor and their 20-year-old son, then threatened to …

A 31-year-old Three Rivers man was arrested for solicitation with intent to assault his pregnant wife, to cause a miscarriage or stillbirth. According to Three Rivers Police, a man in early May told officers the suspect wanted to hire him to assault his pregnant wife and cause her to have a miscarriage. Numerous meetings were recorded between the two, police …

April unemployment in St. Joseph County continued a downward trend. Data released by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget Analysis, showed the county’s unemployment rate for April was 7.7 percent. The figure reflects a 1.1 percent decrease from March. The rate is also an even 2 percent lower from April 2011. One other positive note: St. Joseph County’s …

Investigators from the Michigan State Police at White Pigeon post are assisting Sturgis Police in a case involving the theft of catalytic converters from five vehicles parked overnight at two locations in the city and one in Sturgis Township. The incidents occurred between May 22 and 24 in the 1100 block of West Chicago Road, 1600 block of South Centerville …

State police are continuing their investigation into the theft of jewelry from a residence last month in Lockport Township. A news release stated jewelry, a video camera and other items of notable value were taken from a residence in the 21000 block of Fairchild Road. The incident took place during the daytime April 30. Information detailing access to the residence …

The Abiel Fellows Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution of Three Rivers has announced recipients for the DAR Good Citizens for 2012. Honored for their dependability, service, leadership and patriotism, each senior is recognized on the basis of merit. This year’s Good Citizens are: Lauren Kirby, Centreville High School; Adam West, Constantine High School; Leslie Bennett, Factoryville Christian School; Lindsey …

Members of the Sturgis City Commission have given their support to a proposed senior center sought by St. Joseph County’s Commission on Aging. COA executive director Lynn Coursey told commissioners last week the Three Rivers-based agency would like to retain existing services to its Sturgis-area clients and enhance opportunities for a better quality of life through a facility such as …