Judith Ann “Judy” Bickel, age 74, of Three Rivers, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, June 24, 2021. She was born in Chesaning, MI on Oct. 2, 1946 the daughter of James and Doris (Jones) House and later graduated from Chesaning High School. She worked for over 20 years at True Heat in Allegan and most recently as …

Shelley R. Connors, age 77, of Foster City, California passed away Sunday morning, June 20, 2021 at her favorite place in the entire world, her home on Klinger Lake. She was born January 22, 1944 in Hinsdale, Illinois daughter of the late Milton A. and Margaret Ann (Saxby) Rusteen. Shelley resided in California for over 40 years. She also lived …

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 …