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 …

Authorities say a pilot escaped with minor injuries following the crash of an ultralight aircraft. The Cass County sheriff’s department says in a statement Thursday that 57-year-old Carl Rosander of Cassopolis was flying near his home when the aircraft hit a tree and crashed in La Grange Township. He was the only person aboard the aircraft. The department says Rosander …

A 75-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of his ex-wife at their western Michigan home. Jimmy L. Thrasher was arraigned Tuesday in Kalamazoo District Court on murder and firearms charges. Judge Tiffany A. Ankley ordered him jailed without bond until a probable cause hearing May 26. The judge also granted his request for a …