State Rep. Aaron Miller, a high school teacher by trade, plans a busy month of March to help promote March Is Reading Month. Miller plans on reading to students in five different St. Joseph County school districts at various points during the month. His itinerary includes March 2 at Eastwood School in Sturgis; March 6 at Colon Elementary; March 9 …

Officials from the Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce have announced the theme of the 2015 Water Festival. “TR Goes Nautical” will be the theme of the annual festival, a three-day event that starts June 18. In keeping with the theme, the festival will feature events such as a fishing tournament, according to chamber director Christy Trammell. Other attractions include …

A snowy owl named Prairie Ronde has become the latest addition to Project SNOWstorm, a collaborative effort to track the giant raptors that have descended into Michigan in recent winters from their typical home in the tundra. Once a rare sight, the birds have begun to move into northern states, including Michigan and Wisconsin, and states in the Northeast, according …

Kenneth Leroy Jasper, age 82, of Three Rivers, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015 at the Borgess Medical Center following a brief illness. He was born on Sept. 6, 1932 in Kinmundy, IL., the son of the late Chris and Blanche (Cornell) Jasper. Ken grew up and attended schools in Kinmundy , graduating in 1951. He worked as a …

M. Janice Cooke, age 78, of Three Rivers, passed away on Sunday, February 22, 2015. Jan was born on Sept. 5, 1936 in Barberton, OH., the daughter of Ray and Mary Hyland. Mrs. Cooke graduated from Barberton High School in 1955 and attended Ohio University, Mary Hardin Baylor College, and Case University for varying periods of time, and also attended …

Anna June Gregory, age 88, of Centreville, passed away suddenly at her home on Saturday, Feb. 21st, 2015. She was born on June 6, 1926 in Three Rivers, MI., the daughter of the late Roy and Hazel (Geib) Dunithan. Mrs. Gregory has been a lifetime resident of this area. She was united in marriage to the late Raymond Gregory in …

Leon W. Hackenberg, 92, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully to be with his wife on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015 at his home. He was born on July 9, 1922 in Marcellus, the son of the late August and Clara (Timm) Hackenberg. Leon proudly served his country during World War II. Upon his discharge he began work at the Continental …

The next step for a water trail master plan will be a discussion by county officials next week. Representatives from St. Joseph-based Edgewater Resources announced the master plan will be a part of the agenda during next week’s St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners meeting. Though the public comment stage of the process has already passed, additional questions or comments …

Glen Oaks Community College’s Board of Trustees agreed last week to support the existing slate of officers for another year. David Allen will remain chairperson and Nancy Percival will remain vice-chairperson. Bruce Gosling continues as treasurer and James Moshier will remain secretary. The board also voted unanimously to extend the contract of Glen Oaks president David Devier for one more …

A merger between two banks – one with four area branches – has been announced by respective officials. Horizon Bank will merge with Peoples Federal Savings Bank. Peoples has branches in Howe and LaGrange in Indiana, and two in Three Rivers. Horizon does not have any branches in the vicinity. Headquartered in Michigan City, Ind., Horizon has been in an …