Betty L. Stears, 83, passed away peacefully at her home. She married her childhood sweetheart, Fred. They raised four children on the family farm: Fred (Gloria) Stears, John (Sheila) Stears, Rita (Jim) Bickle and Sheila (Frank) Seybert; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren. She touched many lives during her nursing career. Betty and Fred enjoyed wintering in Nevada and Arizona and made many new friends. Visitation …

An Indiana man who was brought to the attention of police after a number of incidents March 17 was arraigned in court Friday. St. Joseph County officials said Jerry Hillegas, 46, was charged with two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct and violation of a charitable solicitation. Hillegas on March 17 confronted a woman at a downtown business and asked …

St. Joseph County is on its way to having its own Marine Corps League. Following a 90-minute meeting Saturday at Mendon Village Hall, a group seeking the county’s own league was given preliminary approval from the state’s top league official. With a turnout of nearly 20 prospective members at the organizational meeting, the only hurdle to clear is the national …

Flags in Sturgis are flying at half-staff today to honor a former mayor, Don Easterday. Easterday, 84, passed away Thursday. He served as mayor from 1988 through 1992. City offices will close at 3:30 p.m. today so employees may attend Easterday’s funeral.

A crowd of about 150 people attended Saturday’s annual St. Joseph County Lincoln Day banquet at the Sturges-Young Auditorium, in Sturgis. U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers delivered the keynote speech, which focused on the shortcomings of President Obama and underscored the need to vote for Republican candidates in the November general election. Congressman Fred Upton also gave a brief speech during …

Three Rivers Health and its fitness center, HealthTRAC, have announced the 13th annual Triple Creek Dash. The event starts at 9 a.m. April 14. Check-in and same-day registration begins at 7 a.m. The race course will include the neighborhood surrounding the Three Rivers Health campus, bounded by U.S. 131, Michigan Avenue, Broadway Street and the St. Joseph River. The event …

The Kalamazoo Wings, proud member of the ECHL, two-time defending North Division Champions, reigning Eastern Conference Champions and National Hockey League affiliate to the Vancouver Canucks and New Jersey Devils and American Hockey League’s Albany Devils, announce the recipients of the 2010-11 K-Wings Team Awards. The awards were presented following the K-Wings home game tonight versus the Cincinnati Cyclones at …

The Kalamazoo Wings exploded for four goals in the second period on their way to a 6-1 victory over the Cincinnati Cyclones on Sunday afternoon at Wings Stadium. With the puck behind the net, Ondrej Roman found Mathieu Aubin sliding in front for a quick pass and goal 12:58 into the opening period. Bouncing back nearly two minutes later, Kory …

Marion Bernice Burlingame, 95, of Three Rivers died Thursday, March 22, 2012 at her home. She was born in Minneapolis, Minn, on Aug. 26, 1916, the daughter of Harry Douglas and Willa Mae (Wylie) Bostwick. Marion was a homemaker who also worked as a receptionist at Dr. Dana’s office in Kalamazoo. She was a Day Care Center volunteer and also …

Joyce Hitchcock-Hackenberg-Thompson, 63, of Three Rivers, passed away on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at Rose Arbor Hospice Facility, following a courageous battle with cancer. She was born on Oct. 2, 1948 in Paw Paw, the daughter of Raleigh “Hambone” and Imogene (Salyer) Hitchcock. Joyce has been a long time resident of Three Rivers. She was a member of Three Rivers …