Darren Robert Shepard, age 29, of Three Rivers, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, June 11, 2015 at his home. He was born on Sept. 13, 1985 in Three Rivers to the late David J. Sr. and Sandra K. (Bainbridge) Charon. Darren was also preceded in death by his grandparents William and Mardith Bainbridge. He leaves to cherish his memory, brothers, …

A 20-year veteran has been chosen to fill a vacancy on the Three Rives Community Schools Board of Education. During a special meeting last week, board members selected Susan Schmidtendorff to fill the remaining term created by Dave Kutz’s vacancy. Kutz recently resigned his seat, citing conflicts with work. Six people in all applied for the spot, though Dan Tomlinson …

Organizers of the 59th Three Rivers Water Festival are calling the three-day celebration a success. Christy Trammell, director of the Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce, said strong crowds were a part of the festival starting with Thursday’s opening-night parade and concluding with Saturday’s event-ending fireworks display. Trammell said ideal weather and a variety of activities were beneficial to the …

A 30-year-old Jones woman entered a plea of no contest in a case related to an early-morning arson at a Three Rivers business last year. Fawn Mott appeared in St. Joseph County Circuit Court last week on a charge of arson, third degree, from a June 23 incident at the Three Rivers Walmart. Judge Paul Stutesman revoked Mott’s $50,000 bond …

St. Joseph County and its Commission on Aging will break ground at 9 a.m. Tuesday for the senior service agency’s new Sturgis facility. Lynn Coursey, COA executive director, said the amount of monthly rent her agency will pay for space in the new South County Community Enrichment Center still has not been set. Last week, however, Coursey told her board …

Narcotics Investigators from the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit executed a search warrant last week on East Main Street in Sturgis. SCAN officers received information about a residence in the 700 block that was reported to have illegal drug activity. After further investigation officers were able to obtain a search warrant. Officers subsequently found methamphetamine and numerous items associated …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is advising the public to be aware of a phone scam reported this week by a Fabius Township resident. Deputies were dispatched Tuesday to the 56000 Block of Shady Lane for a complaint regarding fraud. The victim told authorities she was contacted over the phone and told she and her spouse were being pursued …

Charles “Jack” Allen Ruple, 83, of Donnell Lake, Vandalia, passed away on Monday, June 15, 2015 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on Sept. 30, 1931 in Kalamazoo the son of the late Charles Kenneth and Mary M. (Ickes) Ruple. Jack has been a resident of southwest Michigan his entire life. He honorably served his …

Hello. My name is Terry and I am a male brown and black terrier mix, with a little white chest. I’m about 5-6 years old and weigh about 30 pounds – just the right size for a family. I have already been neutered and because I am not a young whippersnapper I have good manners and am not popping up …

A former Three Rivers High School teacher who had pleaded no contest to a charge of misdemeanor embezzlement was sentenced Tuesday in St. Joseph County District Court. Judge Robert Pattison sentenced Sara Freeman, 33, to 180 days in the St. Joseph County jail. Freeman, a Burr Oak resident, will serve 120 days of the sentence, with 60 days deferred. She …