Current and prospective volunteers for the Open Arms weekend homeless shelter in Three Rivers are invited to attend either of two training and orientation sessions. Stationed at the First United Methodist Church on North Main Street, the Three Rivers site operates in support of the county’s Keystone Place in Centreville by housing its overflow guests on Friday, Saturday and Sunday …

The third “Generate Sturgis” event last week resulted in an award of $1,000 to a White Pigeon teacher for the concept of what she called Make-It, Take-It. “Generate Sturgis,” where residents with unique and practical business ideas pitch their concepts to city officials, drew five contestants last week. Theresa Hazard’s concept was voted the best idea, which called for a …

A 27-year-old Three Rivers man was treated and released following a one-car accident around 11:30 p.m. Monday. According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, Michael Matthew was driving east on M-60, near Marlene Drive, when he lost control of the vehicle. Matthew was transported to Three Rivers Health. A department media release does not indicate the reason Matthew’s vehicle …

An electrical problem is the suspected culprit of a fire that caused heavy smoke damage to a residence in the 69000 block of Nottawa Road in Sturgis Township Friday morning. Tri-Township firefighters saw flames from the rear of the home upon their arrival. The lone occupant, whose age was not immediately available, escaped without injury. The resident told officials he …

Betty Rosemary Keeslar, age 87, of Burr Oak, Mich., passed away late Friday evening, Aug. 10, 2012, at the Sturgis Hospital in Sturgis. She was born May 1, 1925, in Boyne City, daughter of the late Clarence and Margaret Ellen (Justice) Buckler. Betty resided in Burr Oak since 1999 coming from Gaylord. Prior to that she lived in California. Much …

The St. Joseph County Grange Fair is still a couple of weeks away. The dates this year are from September 16 through September 22. If the weather continues the way it has been, we should have Mother Nature on our side. Brochures can be picked up at the Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce office at 57 North Main Street, …

Like most children, our daughters are always asking if we can have more pets. We currently have two cats, Dreyfus and Calum. Dreyfus is the old man of the two as he just had his 15th birthday and Calum is right behind him at 13. Although my wife loves our cats — she picked them out — her biggest fear …

St. Joseph County’s July unemployment rate saw a notable increase from the previous month. Monthly figures released from the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget Analysis show St. Joseph County had a July unemployment rate of 9.7 percent, a 1.1-percent increase from June. The agency indicated summer layoffs in education contributed to the increase. Despite the increase from June, …

The St. Joseph County Conservation District completed its sixth river cleanup for 2012 last weekend and drew a total of 17 volunteers. The effort started at Farrand Road bridge in Colon Township and covered nearly three miles, ending at the Jacksonburg Road bridge in Leonidas Township. Event organizers estimated nearly 500 pounds of debris was removed from the river. The …

The Sturgis Police Department has issued a media release, indicating it is looking for 37-year-old Chutis  Hicks Jr. Hicks was reported missing last Friday from his residence in the 100 block of North Nottawa Street. Officers advise that caution should be exercised if Hicks is spotted, as his mental state could be volatile. He may be in the Kalamazoo area …