St. Joseph County Treasurer Judie Ratering announced Monday that she has filed her paperwork to run for election to the post for its four-year term starting in January. Ratering, a 52-year-old Park Township resident, was appointed to the position earlier this year, as she has stepped in for Phyllis Bainbridge. Bainbridge retired for health reasons, though her term doesn’t expire …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department has issued an alert to residents in the area of Wilbur Road in Park Township. Earlier this month, a number of unlocked vehicles were entered and many items, including a GPS unit, cash and a cell phone accessory were stolen. In all cases where vehicles were entered, doors were left unlocked. The sheriff’s department …

Joseph Albert Tobon, age 68, of Three Rivers completed his life’s work on Sunday March 18, 2012. He was born in Cartago, Columbia on April 17, 1943 the son of Patricio and Beatriz (Marulanda) Tobon and attended high school and college in Columbia. It was there that he met his future wife, Nancy Young. They were married on Feb. 1, …

    Charles C. Monroe, 74, died in Three Rivers on March 17, 2012. He was born on Oct. 13, 1937 in Three Rivers, MI. the son of Dwight and Dorothy (Youells) Monroe. He had been a resident of Houston, Texas for the last 41 years, where he worked and retired from the Cameron Iron Works Company as a Quality …

Colon firefighters were called out to a house fire Monday afternoon on Willow Drive. One home was engulfed in flames, and strong winds sent flames to a neighboring home. Both houses sustained heavy damage. Firefighters were on scene for about 4 hours. The Colon Fire Department was assisted by Burr Oak, Leonidas, and Mendon. The Centreville Fire Department was dispatched …

A company that grinds wood into livestock bedding has lost its bid to move to a new location in northern Indiana after neighbors complained it shouldn’t be in a rural area.  The Elkhart County commissioners voted 2-1 Monday to deny the request from Martin Animal Bedding to build a couple miles outside Goshen. Company representative Barry Pharis told commissioners that …

Jamie Ann (Kastner) Graham, age 62, of Sturgis, died Sunday, March 18th, 2012 at the Fairview Nursing Centre in Centreville. She was born in Lansing, MI on December 4, 1949,  a daughter of James and Marion (Otis) Kastner. Jamie graduated from Centreville High School in 1968 and attended Glen Oaks Community College. She enjoyed bowling, crafts and reading and was also a …

Donald R. McClish, age 87, of Centreville, died Tuesday March 13, 2012 at his home following a long illness. He was born in Nottawa Township on Nov. 22, 1924 the son of Lawrence and Mildred (White) McClish. He attended Portage Schools before serving with the U.S. Army Tank Corps in the Philippines and Japan. He was married to Barbara Meacham …

John M. Abel, age 60, of Three Rivers, died suddenly of natural causes at his home on Thursday, March 15, 2012. He was born in Three Rivers on February 3, 1952 the son of Harold C. and Leita I. (Decker) Abel, Sr., and was a life-long resident of Three Rivers. John was a graduate of Three Rivers High School with …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department has received a state grant to help promote traffic safety with the use of new and upgraded equipment. Sheriff Brad Balk said the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police recently awarded the grant as part of an Excellence in Traffic Safety award. A $3,000 grant from the Michigan Office of Highway Safety and Planning …