Nearly 60 landowners between Sturgis and Coldwater have agreed to purchase about 16 miles of land to prevent it from becoming a rails-to-trails recreation path. The Indiana Northeastern Railroad was informed last week that adjacent landowners to its abandoned railroad bed have agreed to pool their money and make the property purchase. A group called Friends of the Tamarack Rail …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is investigating an incident during which a vehicle last week was found to be on fire in the 64000 block of Burr Oak Road in Burr Oak Township. Witnesses told investigators three people July 1 were seen fleeing from the van and tossing items into a nearby ditch. Upon closer inspection, officials found a …

The Animal Rescue Fund of St. Joseph County is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the identity and prosecution of the party responsible for leaving a puppy abandoned in the village of Burr Oak. ARF officials said a Sturgis resident was at Railroad Park when she noticed a box with holes in its side last Tuesday near the …

When I decided to change course in my career and move from the banking and insurance world to that of education, I knew things would not be easy. In addition to going back to school to FINALLY secure my degree in elementary education, I knew the job market was already saturated with prospective teachers. Or in other words, a college …

Robert R. Wright, 78, of Florida, formerly of Shipshewana, Ind., passed away at his daughter’s home surrounded by family on July 3, 2013 following a lengthy illness. He was born in Three Rivers on Oct. 29, 1934 the son of Robert V. and Glada (Bean) Wright. Mr. Wright grew up in Nottawa and attended Three Rivers High School. On Dec. …

L.B. Weber, 78, of Three Rivers, passed away on Tuesday, July 2, 2013 at his home following a courageous battle with cancer. L.B. was born on May 20, 1935 in White Pigeon the son of Wolferton Sherman and Alice Marie (Hull) Weber. L.B. has been a life long resident of this area. He retired after 45 years of service from …

Karry Ellen Bickel, age 69, of Mendon, died Thursday, July 4, 2013 at her home. She was born in Cadillac on Oct. 26, 1943 one of twelve children of Hallett Herr and Hazel Marie (Sheldon) Bickel. She graduated from Cadillac High School in 1963 and soon after moved to the Mendon area. Karry had worked for the U.S. Postal Service …

Edna Lillian Currier, age 85, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday morning, July 2, 2013, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. She was born June 18, 1928, in Elkhart, Ind., a daughter of the late John and Lillian (Hall) Miller. From a very young age, she was raised by Emanuel and Fannie Miller. Edna’s early life was spent in Brighton, Ind., …

The seventh annual flotilla on Palmer Lake in Colon will take place this weekend. Set to begin at 6:30 p.m. Saturday from the Burr Oak Road boat launch, the flotilla for 2013 has adopted the theme “The Movies.” Per-entry cost is $10. Officials from Masonic Lodge No. 73 will judge the event and trophies for first-through-fourth places will be awarded. …

A golf outing to benefit a Three Rivers police officer is scheduled to take place next week. Wednesday’s benefit will take place at Island Hills Golf Club in Centreville, to benefit T.J. Baker and his family. Baker, a past “Investigator of the Year” recipient by county prosecutor John McDonough, was diagnosed in May 2013 with a rare form of cancer. …