Federal officials say bald eagles reached a record 750 breeding pairs in Michigan in 2014. Consumers Energy reports that many of the eagles trace their roots to eagles that nested near Tippy Dam and other hydro facilities the utility operates along the Manistee, Au Sable and Muskegon rivers. The dams create backwater habitat where eagles can find secluded nesting sites …

Kalamazoo Public Safety officers are investigating the early Saturday morning shooting of a young man. Investigators say officers were responding to the report of a large fight before 2:30 a.m. Saturday when they found a Kalamazoo man suffering from a gunshot wound. Police say the victim, who is in his early 20s, would not cooperate with authorities and gave no …

Katie Jean Alexander-Longacre, age 28, of Centreville, passed away Saturday, March 7th, 2015. Katie was born in Kalamazoo, MI on April 3, 1986, a daughter of Vicky Lynn (Kannegieter) Alexander and David Wright Alexander. On September 6, 2014, she married Jerry E. Longacre in Nottawa. She attended Mendon Public Schools and later obtained her GED from Three Rivers.  Katie worked as a …

Walter M. Tokarski, age 94, of Three Rivers,  died Friday, March 6, 2015 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. He was born in Wilson, MI on June 10, 1920 the son of John and Barbara (Pierhal) Tokarski. The family moved to Three Rivers in 1926, and Walter attended Three Rivers schools. He served in the U.S. Army with the 96th …

Melvin Alger Taylor, age 85, of Three Rivers, passed away on March 5, 2015 at Riverview Manor. He is survived by one son, Gregory M. Taylor and one daughter Melodee A. Taylor. Cremation has taken place and no services are scheduled at this time. Arrangements by Hohner Funeral Home.

Amy Louise Kennedy, age 46, passed away on Thursday, March 5, 2015 at her family’s home who has cared for her after a courageous battle with cancer. Amy was born on September 6, 1968 in Three Rivers, MI the daughter of Jack Jr. and Patricia (Meyer) Kennedy. Amy attended Immaculate Conception Elementary School and graduated with Honors from Three Rivers …

D. Patricia Rice died peacefully on March 4, 2015 in Lakeland, Florida at the age of 83. Patricia was born on February 21, 1932 in Kirkwood, IL to Roy and Carol VanRiper. She graduated from DePauw University with a degree in Home Economics. She moved to Michigan in 1955 to take a position as Home Economist with the Michigan State …

A decision on who will be appointed to serve an 18-month term as county clerk and register of deeds could be made next week. St. Joseph County Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman said the four-person team that interviewed finalists Tabitha Wedge and Lindsay Oswald this week will reconvene Tuesday morning and discuss their thoughts in detail. Stutesman, who is obligated …

The Animal Rescue Fund of St. Joseph County will stage an annual fundraiser this weekend. Pizza For Paws, featuring an all-you-can-eat pizza buffet, takes place 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Country Table restaurant in White Pigeon. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children 12 years and younger. In addition to the pizza buffet, the cost includes …

The eighth annual meeting of the Friends of the St. Joe River Watershed Council will take place later this month in Sturgis. The gathering, which includes a keynote speaker, presentation of the Watershed Stewardship Award, dinner, a cash bar and a silent auction, will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. March 20 at the Sturgis-Young Auditorium. Silent auction items …