An external study has found an Indiana city’s police department treats residents with roughness and the offending officers are seldom held accountable. The South Bend Tribune reports that the assessment of the Elkhart Police Department was made public on Thursday. Mayor Tim Neese ordered it this year following the release of video showing two officers repeatedly punching a handcuffed man. …

Our mom, Neta JoAnn Benoit was born August 11, 1937, in Pocahontas, Arkansas the daughter of Charlie Ray Jenkins and Crata Cotabell DeRossett (Eddie Derossett). She passed on Friday, November 29, 2019. We are proud of the fact that some of our heritage is from “down south”. Mom was surely a feisty lady, stubborn, and very giving as well. She …

Herbert Howard “Herb,” age 79, of Three Rivers passed away on December 3, 2019 at his daughter’s home surrounded by his family and special friend, Angie Chitwood after a lengthy illness. He was born on September 28, 1940 in Columbus, GA the son of Morris and Evelyn (Pilgrim) Howard. Herb made Three Rivers his home thirty years ago with his …

On Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019 Alma Pearl Bowersox, age 93, went to be with the Lord. She was born in 1926 in Flowerfield Township, Michigan. Alma was a very active member at Center Park United Methodist Church. She loved growing her flowers, for everyone. She was a talented artist and enjoyed sewing also. Alma had a special bond with her …

A preliminary hearing set for Ethan Dingman, who is charged with the murder of 55-year-old Todd Schwartz of Colon, didn’t occur Tuesday as scheduled, according to John McDonough, St. Joseph County prosecutor. The case was adjourned and Dingman will be evaluated for competency to stand trial, McDonough said. That evaluation is to take place at Center for Forensic Psychiatry in …

A big-ticket item was approved this week by members of the Three Rivers Public Library Board. In advance of the library’s move to 88 N. Main St., the board agreed to spend nearly $120,000 to replace the building’s heating and air conditioning unit. With no heat emitting from the current system, the board expects to pay about $4,800 a month …

St. Joseph County’s second-longest-tenured superintendent has been offered the job as chief of Bronson Community Schools. Steve Wilson, superintendent the past four years at Constantine Public Schools, was offered the position following Bronson’s board of education meeting Tuesday. The Bronson post, available after Richard Hilderley left to take a position in Tecumseh, drew broad interest and resulted in interviews with …

Kenneth C. Lahrke, Jr., 83 of Centreville, passed away on Wedneseday, December 11, 2019 at Fairview Nursing Home in Centreville.Ken was born in Sturgis on December 14, 1935, a son of Kenneth and Alice (Snook) Lahrke, Sr. He attended Sturgis schools. On January 23, 1955, he married Donna Dickerson in Sturgis.For many years, Ken owned his farm and an independent …

Norman A. Taylor passed away unexpectedly July 31, 2019, at his camp in Mastodon Township, following a brief illness. He was 64 years old. He was born to LaVern and P. Louise (Yeomans) Taylor at Fort Gordon, Ga. Norm grew up on their family dairy and crop farm in Bronson. Norm enlisted in the Marines and was a Vietnam War-era veteran. …

Eugene R. Hollister, age 72, of Sherwood, passed away Monday, November 18, 2019 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. Eugene was born in Sturgis, on July 6, 1947, a son to the late Leland and Eunice (Lytle) Hollister. On May 1, 1981 he married Dora Dee Genini in Bronson. She preceded him in death on June 24, 1998. Eugene had …