Abbott’s Magic Get-Together in Colon is planning a return in 2021, but event organizer Greg Bordner said things will be a bit different. Bordner, president of Abbott’s Magic, said seating to the four nightly showcase presentations will be limited to 500 people, about half of the normal capacity. In an effort to maintain the same group of attendees nightly, Bordner …

Registration is underway for summer and fall semester at Glen Oaks Community College, where students will find an increase in on-campus classes. According to Michael Goldin, vice president of academics, the school would typically start fall semesters with about 85 percent of its classes in the traditional, face-to-face format. This past fall, nearly half of GOCC’s classes were held in-person. …

Patricia Sziede, age 80, of Marcellus, passed away Monday, March 29, 2021 at home surrounded by her loving family. Patricia was born in Kalamazoo on October 10, 1940, the daughter of Ralph Edward Rhodes and Iva Bertine McNutt. On March 27, 1981 in Paw Paw, Patricia married David Allan Sziede, who survives her in death. Patricia was a seamstress, working …

Marion L. “Bud” Leonard, age 77, of White Pigeon, passed away Monday, March 29, 2021, at his home. He was born March 4, 1944, in Kendallville, a son of the late Marion C. and Thelma (Balk) Leonard. On Oct. 3, 1969, he married Brenda Palmer in Centreville. Marion was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving two tours in Vietnam …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has removed all barriers to receiving the COVID-19 vaccination in the tri-county area. Health officer Rebecca Burns said everyone 16 years of age and older can schedule an appointment at a clinic offered by the agency to receive the vaccine. As of a week ago, positive COVID-19 cases were at 11.2 percent in Branch …

Three Rivers police last week arrested a parole absconder who broke into a residential garage. Officers were called at 8:15 a.m. Friday morning to the 300 block of Spring Street, where the victim told authorities someone broke into his garage and he was sure the suspect was still on the premises. Officers heard the suspect and called in the services …

The Sturgis Area Foundation recently awarded $10,000 to Sturgis High School Athletics Booster Club. Athletic director Andy Hatt said the donation is greatly appreciated, as concession sales at home games for various sports have been far below average because of a limited number of spectators allowed at each event. The foundation’s Youth Advisory Council awarded the grant request. The $10,000 …

Organizers of a longtime, spring tradition have decided to postpone their 2021 event. Officials with the Three Rivers Classic and Antique Restorers Club recently agreed to take a pass on the Old Car Dust-Off in Mendon. The event would have been the 57th Dust-Off on May 2 at Mendon High School. Club president Heidi Alexander said the show will hopefully …

Spring brings warmer weather, longer days, and a much-anticipated break from winter. It also brings a very real threat of severe weather, according to disaster recovery specialist Anthony Blodgett of SERVPRO of Cass & St. Joseph Counties. “The frequent change in cold and warm temperatures in spring creates an elevated risk for severe weather across the country,” said Blodgett. “Ranging …

Elizabeth A. “Betty” Birch, age 75, of Leonidas, died Sunday, March 28, 2021 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born in Three Rivers on Jan. 19, 1946 the daughter of the late Earl and Jean (Yearling) Avery and was a lifetime resident of St. Joseph County. She graduated from Mendon High School with the class of 1964. She …