Cass County police and rescue personnel responded last week to a vehicle submerged in a body of water. Sheriff Joe Underwood said 20-year-old Dowagiac resident Caleb Jones was driving west on M-62 at 1 a.m. Saturday when he fell asleep at the wheel. Authorities said the car Jones was driving hit a guardrail, went down an embankment and became submerged …

A four-wheel, all-terrain vehicle was stolen from a Sherman Township residence last week. Sheriff’s deputies said a resident in the 66000 block of Grey Lake reported that the vehicle was taken from a trailer between the night of Sept. 16 and the morning of Sept. 17

James “Jim” F. Baker, age 72, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Sept. 19th, 2015 at the Rose Arbor Hospice House in Kalamazoo. Jim was born on August 3, 1943 in Three Rivers the son of the late L.W. and Geraldine (Robinson) Baker. Mr. Baker attended Three Rivers Schools and later graduated from Michigan State University. He worked …

Sunny weather and a large crowd on hand to see this year’s headline entertainment contributed to a successful opening day of the St. Joseph County Grange Fair Sunday. The 165th fair was busy from the start of the day and remained steady throughout the afternoon and evening, fair officials said. Thousands of people crowded into the grandstand to see and …

Nearly 100 people took part in Saturday’s third Colon Historic Home and Business Tour, a fundraiser staged every other year by the Colon Historical Society. The Leonidas Stone School was one of nine stops on the self-guided tour. Participants were able to visit as many or few locations as they wished. Cheyl Engle, a member of the historical society and …

Any of the 14,000-plus articles assembled by a Three Rivers icon over a five-year period can now be accessed at the Three Rivers Public Library. A kiosk to view the full River Country Journal catalog, from its inception in 2008 to its final days before the August 2013 passing of its creator, Bruce Snook, is available. A ceremony to honor …

The Michigan Department of Transportation has announced that single-lane closures will take place beginning today on the Business Route 131 bridge over the St. Joseph River in downtown Constantine. MDOT’s Nick Schirripa said the work, which will include beam repair and painting, is scheduled to continue through Nov. 1. Schirripa said the cost of the project is nearly $400,000.

Vernon E. Wickman, (Col, USAF, Ret.), 98, of Woodbridge, Va., formerly of Three Rivers, passed away on Aug. 15, 2015. He was born Sept. 22, 1916 in Rochester, N.Y., to the late Francis E. and Ida (Schoenfeldt) Wickman. He entered the military service as an Aviation Cadet in October 1941, and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air …

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 …