Gov. Gretchen Whitmer called Monday for insurance refunds of up to $675 per vehicle to be quickly issued to drivers. In a letter to the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association, the Democratic governor cited a surplus of $5 billion that she attributed to premium overcharges and a 2019 law that cut insurers’ medical costs for people injured in crashes. The surplus was up …

Dixie Lee Cox, age 79, died on Sunday, October 31, 2021. In accordance with family wishes, cremation will be conducted. Memorial services are pending at this time. Arrangements by Hohner Funeral Home.

Lucy O’Dell (Harvey) Peterson, age 82, of Constantine, died peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on Thursday, October 28, 2021 just before midnight.  She was born at Birch Lake on January 20, 1939 to Ruel B. and Margaret (Reid) Harvey. Lucy was raised at Birch Lake, where she spent hours swimming in the lake and told stories of …

Mark Edward Chapman, age 63, of Elkhart, passed away Thursday, October 28, 2021 in the care and comfort of his home. Mark was born on February 8, 1958 in Sturgis to Gary D. and Betty (Horkey) Chapman. He is survived by his loving companion of 24 years Linda Peffley, son Mark A. Chapman; two grandsons, Caiden and Kristopher Chapman; mother …

Dwight Charles Bowdish was a loving, wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He left this world suddenly on Wednesday, October 27, 2021, at the age of 81. He was born to Charles and Gladys Bowdish in Sturgis. He met the love of his life at the age of 15, Rebecca Rose, and were married after high school. Together they …

September’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County decreased by nine-tenths of a percent from August. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget was released last week. It showed St. Joseph County’s unemployment rate fell from 4.9 percent in August to 4 percent in September. The rate was 6.2 percent 12 months earlier. Meanwhile, Cass …

A hero in the world of law enforcement was memorialized Saturday in Three Rivers. A ceremony honoring Three Rivers native and former St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department member Ryan Proxmire took place at Armstrong Park. A bench was unveiled and dedicated in Proxmire’s memory. The effort to add a bench in the children’s area of the park was led by …

Centreville Public Schools Superintendent Stephanie Lemmer announced late last week that the district will return to face-to-face instruction for students in the elementary school. Students in the high school building, however, will remain in virtual-learning mode for the entire week. Lemmer over the weekend announced the district’s three kindergarten sections will be learning remotely due to positive COVID cases. The …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency began offering all manufacturer’s vaccine booster doses to residents last week. Due to high demand for booster doses, the Three Rivers clinic will be open until 3:30 p.m. Thursday. Residents should make appointments on the agency’s website: bhsj.org/scheduling. The phone number is 273-2161, ext. 7. As a reminder, those who received a Pfizer or …

Three Rivers 9,  Vicksburg 7 Addison 24,  Centreville 16 Constantine 42,  Watervliet 20 Mendon 56,  Lawrence 12 White Pigeon 20,  Decatur 0