Paul Smedziuk, age 71, of Three Rivers, passed away at his home early on Friday, June 4, 2021. Paul was born August 1, 1949 in Rhine, Germany. Smedziuk leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Esther; sons, Sean and Jeremy Smedziuk; brothers Pete, Henry, and Nick Smedziuk; sisters Maria, Zenka, Anna and Lena; grandchildren Haidyn, Noah, Makenna, and fur grandbaby …

Mary “Molly” Roth, age 80, of Three Rivers, passed away Saturday, June 12, 2021. Molly was born in Constantine, the daughter of Dr. Raymond and Mary Zimont. She was active in the Girl Scouts as a Curved Bar recipient, National Girl Scout Roundup attendee, and camp counselor at Camp Fort Hill. She graduated from Constantine High School and the University …

James “Jim” R. Grames, age 79, of Jones, passed away Saturday, November 7, 2020 in Three Rivers. He was born in Kalamazoo on September 2, 1941 the son of George and Rose (Sitar) Grames. On July 20, 1963, in Jones, he married Betty Jean Daughtery who survives. Jim liked to work hard and play harder, he worked for many years …

A fundraising effort is underway to purchase automated CPR machines for all EMS departments in St. Joseph County. Spearheaded by Jeff Brazo, a member of the Burr Oak Community Fire and Rescue Board, the fundraiser goal is $200,000 by Sept. 1. Brazo said automatic CPR machines can aid responders in performing consistent and effective CPR with fewer staff on site …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency’s Board of Health has approved the selection of Karen Luparello as their next medical director. Lauren Vogel will be stepping down from the position effective September 30. Luparello is a board-certified ophthalmologist, specializing in pediatrics and is affiliated with Hillsdale Hospital. She received her medical degree from Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine and has …

The St. Joseph County Human Resources Commission has released an updated list of “free stores” in the area. There are five locations in and around St. Joseph County. In Athens, the Pass It Forward Shop is on Factoryville Road, though it is closed for the summer. Meanwhile, in St. Joseph County, the Centreville Free Store – Building Hope – is …

The annual Mackinac Bridge Walk is back for 2021, and the Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) has updated a video explaining the options people have for participating in this beloved event. Based on the success of the 2018 and 2019 events, the MBA will again start the 2021 Annual Bridge Walk from both St. Ignace and Mackinaw City, which eliminates the …

A 9-year-old boy died Thursday after being shot in Kalamazoo, authorities said. The child was pronounced dead at a Kalamazoo hospital on Thursday afternoon, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Chief Vernon Coakley said. The child’s name and the circumstances leading to the shooting were not immediately released. Representatives from Pastors on Patrol, the Northside Ministerial Alliance and the NAACP were …

Republican lawmakers voted Thursday to stop a $300 weekly federal supplement that is added to unemployed workers’ benefits in Michigan, though the measure is expected to be vetoed when it reaches Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. The GOP-controlled Senate passed the bill on party lines, 19-16, after making a change to the measure that cleared the House last week. It would …

State Senate Republicans who investigated Michigan’s 2020 presidential election for months concluded there was no widespread or systemic fraud and urged the state attorney general to consider probing people who have made baseless allegations about the results in Antrim County to raise money or publicity “for their own ends.” The GOP-led state Senate Oversight Committee said in a 55-page report released Wednesday …