Joan E. Papke, age 87, of White Pigeon, died on Sunday, March 20, 2022. Arrangements by Farrand Funeral Home.

Clarence W. Farnham, age 70, of White Pigeon, passed away on Saturday, March 19, 2022 at Ascension Borgess Hospital. Clarence was born in Kalamazoo on April 3, 1951, a son of Lloyd and Loraine (Loehr) Farnham.  He graduated from Comstock High School in 1969.  On May 17, 1980, he married Jeanette Westrick in Kalamazoo.  Clarence worked security in Arizona and Michigan.  He also did …

St. Joseph County Road Commission Manager John Lindsey said the agency has identified four bridges under its jurisdiction for potential funding from Michigan Department of Transportation. The bridges are in need of upgrades and Lindsey said an application to the state agency as part of its “bridge bundling” program will soon be on its way to Lansing. Lindsey said the …

St. Joseph County Intermediate School District superintendent Teresa Belote has been rated “highly effective” by the district’s board of education. Board president Elizabeth O’Dell said it was unanimously decided that Belote’s job performance was extremely effective and that her contract should be extended. Board members noted that Belote is an effective and efficient communicator, O’Dell said. Belote was acknowledged for …

Lockport Township resident Rick Shaffer has announced his candidacy for Second District St. Joseph County Commissioner. Shaffer has served as a county commissioner on two previous occasions. On the ballot during the Aug. 4 primary election, the second district seat will represent Florence and Lockport townships, part of Fabius Township, and part of the city of Three Rivers. It is …

Choosing to err on the side of caution, organizers of the annual Mendon Dust-Off car show have announced the 2022 show is canceled. Heidi Alexander, president of the Classic and Antique Restorers Club, which sponsors the Dust-Off, said several considerations were taken under advisement. It was ultimately decided to hold off and instead commit to the 2023 Dust-Off. The May …

Angela Christine Frieben (Brockway) passed away at her home in Three Rivers on Monday, March 21, 2022 at the age of 47. Angela (Angie or “Gie” as she was known to her friends and family), loved nothing more than her family. She married her sweetheart, Kerry, soon after graduating high school and during their 29 years of marriage raised two …

Michigan insurers that require health providers to get pre-approval to cover treatment would have to promptly respond to doctors’ requests or those requests would be automatically granted under a bill headed to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for her expected signature. The legislation received final, unanimous Senate approval on Thursday. Advocates said the measure would speed delays in care and provide more transparency around …

Gladys W. Heath, age 88, of Leonidas, died Wednesday, March 23, 2022 at her home. She was born in Kalamazoo on November 9, 1933 the daughter of the late Arthur and Mary (Milham) VanFulpen. After high school, Gladys sang in a dance band in Leonidas on Saturday nights. She was married to Durwood “Pork” Heath on March 5, 1966 in …

Richard Lowell Gardner, age 86, of Jones, passed away on Wednesday, March 23, 2022 in Three Rivers. He was born in Lawton on April 19, 1935 the son of Creston and Rose Marie (Warner) Gardner. On May 21, 1957, in Elkhart, he married Barbara Ann Daugherty who survives him in death. Richard volunteered for forty plus years on the fire …