Police say a 47-year-old man has died after a large firework shell he was holding exploded near his head in suburban Detroit. The Oakland Press of Pontiac says the Oakland County medical examiner’s office identifies him as Scott Jeffers of Walled Lake. Walled Lake Police Chief Paul Shakinas tells the Detroit Free Press that Sunday night’s explosion happened in front …

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 Monday in favor of Michigan and other Republican-led states that challenged Environmental Protection Agency rules that would reduce mercury and other air pollution from coal-fired power plants. The regulations, announced in 2011, are different from rules proposed last year to cut carbon dioxide emissions. What the decision means: ___ RULING A Supreme Court majority …

Nancy Lee Yeomans, born May 8, 1940, in Anderson, Indiana, passed away Saturday, June 27, 2015. After moving to Michigan as a teen, she was a life-long resident of the Marcellus and Three Rivers area. Nancy was predeceased by her son, Eddie and her parents. She is survived by five siblings; her son, Rodney and her daughter, Vicki Cooper, as …

June Joann Chenoweth, age 81, of Marcellus died Friday, June 26, 2015 at her residence. She was born October 24, 1933 in Dowagiac, MI to Harold & Edna Chiddister Bates. On October 8, 1955, She Married Elmer “Dutch” G. Chenoweth who preceded her in death on September 30, 2002. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Newberg …

The May unemployment rate in St. Joseph County increased eight-tenths of a percent compared to a month earlier. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 4.7 percent May unemployment rate was higher than April’s 3.9 percent. May’s unemployment rate, however, was 1.1 percent less than the same month one year …

History was made last week in Centreville, as a pair of Three Rivers residents became the first same-sex couple to marry in St. Joseph County. Not long after the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, Susan Henry and Dawn Munson arrived to county clerk Pattie Bender’s office to complete a marriage license. The two decided on a …

Three school board members subject to a recall have through Monday next week to appeal a decision Friday that will allow the process to continue. Three Rivers Board of Education members Waneta Truckey, Carl Barth and board president Mike Bosma did not indicate after Friday’s clarity/factual hearing what course of action they plan to follow. The three-member St. Joseph County …

Donald Dean Bent, 81, of Three Rivers, passed away on Thursday, June 25th at the Heartland Healthcare Center. He was born on March 15, 1934 in Marcellus, the son of the late John and Edith (James) Bent. Mr. Bent has been a life long resident of Marcellus and Three Rivers. On June 20th, 1953 he was united in marriage to …

In loving memory of Gerald Edwin Lefler, 71, of Roanoke, VA who passed away on Monday, June 22, 2015. He was a 1962 graduate of Three Rivers High School.  He retired from Roanoke College as the Head Grounds Keeper. Jerry loved taking care of his pond and working outside. He is survived by his wife, Sandie Lefler; daughter, Cassie Lefler; …

Members of the St. Joseph County Election Commission agreed Friday that the language in petitions to recall a trio of Three Rivers Community Schools Board of Education members is clear. As a result, the recall process against board members Waneta Truckey, Carl Barth and board president Mike Bosma will be allowed to continue. The decision was made by the three-member …