Kolyn Wayne Harker, infant son of Wayne and Kelli Harker, was stillborn Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013, at Sturgis Hospital after he had been diagnosed with Trisomy 13, a rare genetic disorder affecting only one in 10,000 babies. He is survived by his parents, Wayne and Kelli (Modert) Harker of Sturgis; maternal grandparents, Scott Modert of Sturgis and Michelle Hershberger of …

Leola D. Geark, age 88, of Sturgis, passed away early Tuesday evening, Feb. 12, 2013, at her home. She was born May 17, 1924, in Nebo, N.C., daughter of the late Sam and Lizzie (Cuthbertson) Dellinger. Leola resided in Sturgis since 1952 coming Marion, N.C., and she was a graduate of Glen Alpine High School with the class of 1942. …

Voters in the city of Sturgis will have an opportunity later this year to decide whether to support a financial request exclusively for road and sidewalk repairs. Members of the city council Wednesday voted to put a millage request proposal before city residents May 7. The question will give city officials an opportunity to dedicate a 3-mil, 10-year property tax …

The Michigan Works! of Kalamazoo-St. Joseph counties is hosting a job fair this weekend to fill more than 500 positions at American Axle in Three Rivers. The company announced earlier this month its plan for a $100 million investment in its Three Rivers plant. About 500 hourly positions and 40 salaried jobs will be available, company officials said. Saturday’s job …

Colon High School will be able to better support its Future Farmers of America students thanks to the generosity of local farmer, Ruby Miller, and America’s Farmers Grow Communities. Sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, Grow Communities provides farmers in eligible counties the chance to win a $2,500 donation for a local nonprofit organization of their choice. Because St. Joseph County’s …

Department of Public Works employees in Constantine spent two hours Wednesday repairing a water-main break. The faulty pipe was at the corner of Fifth and Washington streets. Village Manager Mark Honeysett said the pipe had leaked about 250,000 gallons per day over the past week and it was necessary to shut down the entire water system because the hole was …

Gaylord Dean “Gator” Hill, age 65, of Mesa, Ariz., since December of 2012, and a longtime former Sturgis resident, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013, in Phoenix. He was born May 26, 1947, in Sturgis, a son of Wayne T. and Opal (Patrick) Hill. He was a member of the Eagles Lodge #1314 and Captain John J. Kelley Post …

Betty Jean Widdel, age 86, of Sturgis, passed away early Tuesday evening, Feb. 12, 2013, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday at Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis. Funeral services celebrating the life of Betty Jean Widdel will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at …

I am a black lab/border collie mix and I am about 3 years old. I’ve been at Animal Control since January, so I am really hoping someone will come and take me to their home. I’m very friendly and I like to fetch a tennis ball and bring it back to you. The ladies at A.C. say I am very …

St. Joseph County treasurer Judith Ratering has included the county in a state program designed to assist homeowners who have fallen behind on their property taxes. “Help for Hardest Hit; Step Forward, Michigan” is a state initiative to assist homeowners who have endured a financial hardship and are unable to catch up on their property taxes. Discussing the program last …