Ralph Leslie Bence, age 92, of Three Rivers passed away on Friday, September 18, 2015 at his home. In accordance with his wishes cremation will be conducted and there will be no public services held. Online condolences may be left at www.hohnerfh.com. Arrangements were handled by Hohner Funeral Home.

Esther Hippen, age 83, of Mendon died Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015 at Riverview Manor in Three Rivers. She was born in Kalamazoo on Oct. 26, 1931 the daughter of John and Alice (Doorlag) Gerlofs. She was a lifetime resident of the area and graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School. Esther was married to Herman Hippen on June 22, 1951. She …

Glen Oaks Community College has announced that Bill Lederman is the school’s new director of nursing. A Sturgis resident, Lederman was raised in the Mendon area and graduated from Colon High School. As a professor at the college, Lederman has completed his 29th year as full-time nursing faculty, teaching courses in Nursing Role Transitions, Ethics, Pharmacology and Leadership as well …

Hello. My name is Lexi and I am a 3 year old female boxer/lab mix. I have short brown fur and a long tail that likes to wag a lot. I walk nicely on a leash and I’m even housetrained! I’m very friendly and interested in people and I know how to sit. I feel a little unsure sometimes so …

The Three Rivers board of education has a new president. Waneta Truckey was named to the post after Mike Bosma indicated during Monday’s meeting his resignation from the position. Bosma, however, will remain on the board but in the capacity of a trustee. Truckey, the board’s vice president prior to her promotion, was elected to the seven-member panel in 2004. …

The Constantine Area Community Foundation, a geographic affiliate of the Sturgis Area Community Foundation, is accepting grant proposals from qualifying entities: 501(c) 3 organizations, public schools and governmental units for its 2015 fall grant period. Areas of focus for the Constantine Area Community Foundation include improvement of living and working conditions for the citizens of Constantine; youth and recreation; public, …

Six people, including four juveniles, were injured in a two-vehicle crash Tuesday afternoon in Sturgis Township. Sheriff’s officials said a 28-year-old Sturgis woman was southbound at a stop sign on Balk Road and attempted to turn east onto Fawn River Road, when she turned into the path of a westbound pickup driven by a 20-year-old Sturgis man; the pickup crashed into …

Supporters of a proposed multi-field sports complex in the Three Rivers area cleared a sizable obstacle Tuesday, when members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners allocated financial support toward the concept. With the exception of Robin Baker, commissioners agreed to provide $2.8 million of $4 million the sports complex steering committee originally sought to purchase additional land and …

St. Joseph County county’s parks system is about to add an unprecedentedly scenic property to its portfolio. Members of the county commission Tuesday agreed to the $330,000 purchase of a six-acre parcel that includes 1,000 feet of shoreline in Lockport Township. The parcel is north of the Langley Covered Bridge and on the east side of Covered Bridge Road. Parks …

St. Joseph County Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman has denied a request for a new murder trial for Andy J. Brown. Brown, 38, was convicted in July 2014 for the October 2013 murder of Sturgis resident David Locey. Brown was eventually sentenced to between 37 1/2 and 75 years in prison. Brown’s defense counsel of Anastase Markou and John Minock …