Battle Creek police report that a 19-year-old man who said he wanted police to kill him was fatally shot when both he and officers opened fire. The shooting happened Sunday morning. Police tell WOOD-TV that a family member called about 10:40 a.m. saying the man had taken a relative’s gun and wanted to die. Police say the man then called …

Len A. Yoder, age 49, of Mottville, passed away Saturday, May 9, 2015 at Three Rivers Health Hospital.   He was born July 28, 1965 in Elkhart, IN, a son of Ray and Mary (Schrock) Yoder. Len graduated from Northridge High School in Middlebury. After being together since 1985, Len married Beverly Stabler on May 27, 2000 in Mottville. Len worked for …

At 9 feet long and around 350 pounds, the alligator known as Godzilla lives up to his name: A body plated with pointed, armor-like scales known as scutes. Massive jaws that hold up to 80 sharp teeth and snap shut on reflex. A powerful tail. He could do some damage if he wanted to. Sunning himself on the edge of …

Ken Spade, 73, of Sevierville, Tenn., passed away Wednesday, May 6, 2015. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He graduated Constantine High School in Michigan and received his MBA from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Ken was a mechanical engineer and spent his career in the heating and air conditioning industry designing for Whirlpool and other companies. He …

Robert Lee Loomis, 86, of Pace, Fla. passed away March 30, 2015 at home. He is preceded in death by wife, Beverly; son, Robert; twin sister, Peggy Haxel. Survived by brother, George Loomis, Weston, Ohio; daughter, Marlene Kunz; sons, Kim (Paula); Darley (Teresa) of Three Rivers; George (Yvonne) Loomis of Pace, Fla. Many grand-, great- and great-great-grandchildren. He worked at …

Peter Milan Puglia, age 75, of Three Rivers, died Monday, May 4, 2015 at the Three Rivers Health Emergency Room. He was born in Highland Park, MI on March 4, 1940 the son of Peter and Lorraine (Gowing) Puglia. Milan graduated from Bronson High School and attended business college in Battle Creek. He was a butcher by trade and had …

A Mendon Township woman is inviting participants to join her as she concludes a 60-mile walk through St. Joseph County Saturday. Carol Higgins, president of the St. Joseph County Conservation District Board, began the four-day walk Wednesday. Higgins said her twofold goal is to bring awareness to local conservation and to earn financial pledges that she will turn over to …

The Huss Project Garden is staging its second of three community gardening days this weekend. The public is invited to stop by between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday for a clean-up and planting event. Tools will be available but anyone more comfortable working with their own implements are welcome to bring them, event organizers said. The third session will …

The St. Joseph County Grange Fair is announcing today its headline music act for the 2015 fair. Fair manager Bill Johnson said the duo Dan + Shay will take the stage on opening day, Sept. 20. In an attempt to interest younger attendees, Johnson said the entertainment committee prioritized newer artists on the path to stardom. In all, the committee …

State Rep. Aaron Miller has announced his May in-district office hours. Miller invites residents to join him May 22, at the following locations: LA’s Coffee Café, 145 W. Michigan Ave., Three Rivers, from 8 to 9:30 a.m.; and Rachel’s Family Dining, 300 E. Chicago Road, White Pigeon, from 11 a.m. to noon. Miller said he encourages anyone with ideas or …