Paul Bryce Williams, age 84, of Three Rivers, passed away on Thursday, May 21,2015 at Borgess Medical Center following a lengthy illness. He was born on Oct. 12, 1930 in Granville, NY., the son of the late Joseph and Thelma (Roberts) Williams. Paul spent the majority of his life in the Chicago, IL., area. Paul served his country in the …

J. Catherine “Kate” Smith, 88, formerly of Three Rivers, passed away Wednesday, May 20, 2015 in Melbourne, Fla. Kate was born on July 20, 1926 in Ludington. After high school she attended Mercy School of Nursing in Muskegon. She worked as a Registered Nurse at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo and for Drs. Raymond and Charles Zimont in Constantine. She married …

Two support-staff members were the first victims of Colon Community Schools’ employee-reduction plan. The next wave, which could include as many as five teachers, is expected to hit when the board conducts a special meeting in early June. During Monday’s regularly scheduled board meeting, district officials agreed to layoff high school secretary Marianne Verner and elementary teacher assistant Stacy Sult. …

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners Chairman John Dobberteen said a trip to France earlier this month has given him a new perspective of Memorial Day. During the chairman’s report portion of last week’s meeting, Dobberteen said he has visited a number of military cemeteries through the years, but a stop at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial was unequal …

The first sign of change as a result of county clerk Pattie Bender’s impending retirement was seen last week, as Lindsay Oswald took Bender’s seat at the dais and recorded the minutes of Tuesday’s county commission meeting. Oswald will have two more opportunities to perfect the task before Bender calls it quits June 30. Oswald, a 35-year-old Lockport Township resident, …

E. Maxine Stienbarger, age 83, of Mendon, died peacefully at her home on Thursday, May 21, 2015. She was born in LaGrange, IN on June 17, 1931 the oldest of five children born to Garlan R. and Reva (Haney) Gose. Maxine was a 1949 graduate of Mendon High School. She was married to Wayne L. Stienbarger on Jan. 8, 1950 …

St. Joseph County Administrator Pat Yoder this week provided an update on the commission’s search for a consultant to review financial and procedural operations at the Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of St. Joseph County, as well as its health department. During Tuesday’s county commission meeting, Yoder said he and human resources director Teresa Doehring have reviewed three …

The Three Rivers Farmers’ Market begins next week, taking place 1 to 6 p.m. every Thursday. The market, which will run through Sept. 3, is located in Scidmore Park under the park pavilions. Products available will include fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers, baked goods, craft items and beefalo. The 2015 season includes three night markets: June 11, July 9 and …

Sturgis VFW Post 1335 and the Sturgis American Legion Post 73 are looking for veterans, recently discharged and currently serving service members to join in the Sturgis Memorial Day parade Monday. Anyone interested in walking, carrying a flag or being part of the honor guard can contact Tom Reed at 260-585- 4420.