Dennis Rumsey

Murder suspect to be evaluated for competency

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 …

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New TR library – Heating and air conditioning to be replaced

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 …

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Constantine superintendent is offered Bronson position

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 …

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Ken Lahrke, 83

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 …

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Norm Taylor, 64

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. …

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Eugene Hollister, 72

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 …

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Diana Munn, 60

Diana R. Munn, age 60, of Sturgis, passed away Monday afternoon, Dec. 9, 2019, at Medilodge of Kalamazoo. She was born Oct. 18, 1959, in Sturgis, a daughter of Donald R. and the late Lois L. (Crowl) Lampe. Diana was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1978. On May 9, 1998, …

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Tim Jones, 59

Timothy Bryce Jones, age 59, of Three Rivers, passed away suddenly on Sunday, Dec. 8th, 2019 at his home.  Tim was born in Sturgis on August 17th, 1960 the son of the late Olin Jones and Karen Lutz. Tim graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1978. Tim was born and raised a farmer and that never left him.  He …

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Pauline Martin, 76

Pauline (nee: Kelly) Martin, age 76, of Three Rivers, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 5th, 2019 at her home.  She was born on Nov. 11, 1944 in Brookhaven, MS., the daughter of the late Della Mae (Kelly) Humphries.  On July 19th, 1962 she married Mr. Kirby Lee Martin. Pauline graduated from Three Rivera Adult Education in 1994.  She was an …

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Man sues police in after wrongful conviction

A man who served 20 months in custody for a wrongful conviction is suing police. Ray McCann was repeatedly hounded by police during an investigation of a girl’s killing in St. Joseph County. McCann denied any role in the death of the 11-year-old girl but says he felt pressured to plead no contest to perjury. The conviction was thrown out …

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