Barbara Ann Culver, age 79, of Portage, passed away Sunday, November 19, 2023 at her home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on June 16, 1944, in Detroit, the daughter of Alvin and Anna Elizabeth (Grey) Bates and graduated from Cooley High School with the Class of 1962. Barbara earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Wayne State …

Nine of the 11 drug-related deaths in St. Joseph County last year involved either methamphetamine or fentanyl, according to the county’s medical examiner, Joyce deJong. She said there have been six drug-related fatalities in St. Joseph County through the first half of 2023. In every case, meth and/or fentanyl were involved, deJong said. Eight men and five women were drug-overdose …

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners made appointments and a re-appointment during their meeting this week. The board re-appointed commissioners Ken Malone and Rick Shaffer, and appointed John Kroggel, to the county’s Parks and Recreation Commission. Meanwhile, Ivin Riddle was re-appointed to the Department of Health and Human Services board. Also, Amanda Miller was appointed to the Pivotal Board. Pivotal …

The Three Rivers Lions Cub is seeking donations to provide food and toys to area families. Civic group members said the club’s annual Christmas newspaper insert will not be published this year, crippling what was previously an effective medium to promote the Lions Club’s holiday project. Financial donations for the 2023 fundraiser can be sent by mail to Box 134, …

St. Joseph County Animal Control last weekend took in eight puppies found abandoned by the side of the road in Sherman Township. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman said it appears the 2-month-old puppies were intentionally left by the side of Borgert Road. A passerby reported the litter to Animal Control Sunday, Bingaman noted. The puppies have been to a veterinarian and are …

Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy has launched its year-end “Force for Nature” membership campaign. Agency officials said the goal is to continue doing critical conservation work of protecting and restoring ecologically important natural areas in southwest Michigan. As part of the Force for Nature membership campaign, current and past SWMLC Board members have joined to pledge $150,000 toward meeting a $400,000 …

Michael A. Wozniel, age 67, passed away Monday, November 13th, 2023, in Virginia Beach, VA surrounded by his loving family. Mike was born August 28th, 1956, to Anthony and Joanne Wozniel in Three Rivers. He was a graduate of White Pigeon High School, class of 1974. In early life, Mike was heavily involved in 4-H, where he raised and showed …

Chris Howard Buckhold, age 83, of Sturgis, passed away early on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. Chris was born July 31, 1940 in Three Rivers, son of Howard and Frances (Tessin) Buckhold. He was a graduate of Three Rivers High School with the class of 1958. Following graduation he enlisted in the US Army, serving …

A 911 call center on Monday took some responsibility for an Amtrak train derailment last week in southwestern Michigan, saying it misidentified a crossing and contacted a different railroad to warn that a car was stuck on tracks. The train with 200 passengers crashed into the empty car and a tow truck Thursday night near New Buffalo. Six people on the train …

David Lee Blasius, age 56, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday, October 26, 2023 at Rose Arbor Hospice surrounded by his loving family. He was born January 11, 1967 in Three Rivers, the son of David and Vivian (Rice) Blasius, and graduated from Three Rivers High School with the Class of 1985. David was a dedicated employee of Midwest Plastics in …