Charles Odell Crawford, age 83, of Three Rivers went to be with his Lord on Thursday, April 1, 2021 at home surrounded by his family following a courageous battle with a lengthy illness. He was born on August 31, 1937 in Casa, Arkansas, the son of Percy and Gola (Tanner) Crawford. He worked in the paper box manufacturing industry as …

A Kalamazoo man was arrested last week after he led authorities on a pursuit that ended in the city of Three Rivers. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies became involved in the pursuit shortly after 6 a.m. Friday. The vehicle, a Ford passenger car, was observed speeding as it was traveling north on Lutz Road, near Fairchild Road. Deputies attempted to …

February’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County, and its neighboring counties, was lower than the rate in January. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget, which showed the county’s drop in unemployment, was released last week. St. Joseph County’s 5.2 percent unemployment rate for February was down from 5.8 percent the previous month. Meanwhile, …

Here’s the latest COVID-19 update from the Van Buren/Cass District Health Department. Agency officials said they are now administering Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson to all residents 18 years of age and older. Through last week, the department had administered in Cass County nearly 8,700 shots, which represents about one-fifth of the county’s population. Cumulative COVID-19 cases in Cass County …

“Happiness makes up in height, what it lacks in length.” ~ Robert Frost Welcome to April, 2021. Thanks to all you readers, I am now starting my sixteenth year writing this column. When I started the column, this newspaper was delivered to your home and was available at several newspaper stands six days a week. A lot has changed over …

Katie Ann Miller, age 89, of Centreville, passed away on Saturday, April 3, 2021 at her home.  Katie was born in Nappanee, Indiana on June 1, 1931, a daughter of Jacob and Lizzie (Borkholder) Borkholder.  She attended school at Locke Center and Locke Schools in Indiana. Katie previously worked for Wise Lunch in Sturgis.  On June 9, 1956, she married …

The St. Joseph County Council for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect wishes to remind the public that April is Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect month. Typically, CA/N Council members plant pinwheel gardens throughout St. Joseph County. Due to COVID-related precautions, however, council members will provide buckets of pinwheels to anyone who would like to display them. In addition, …

A Three Rivers man was charged with receiving stolen firearms and accessory after-the-fact to a home invasion. State police officials said 39-year-old Alexander Zuchnik was arrested in March. He was arraigned March 25 and a preliminary court date of April 6 has been set. Authorities said four rifles were taken June last year from a residence on Shaffmaster Road in …

A Branch County residence was destroyed by fire this week. Bronson Fire officials said the department was called shortly after 4 p.m. Tuesday to the 300 block of West Barnhart Road in Batavia Township. Chief Scott Wilber said a ranch house was ablaze when fire personnel arrived to the scene. He said windy conditions made battling the blaze difficult and, …

William A. Beppler III, age 73, of Sturgis, passed away on Thursday, April 1, 2021 at the Heartland Health Care Center in Three Rivers. He was born March 4, 1948 in Ann Arbor, a son to the late William A. and Eleanor (McDonald) Beppler Jr. William graduated from Constantine High School and also from Ferris State University with a degree …