The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is reporting a significant uptick in reports of flu-like illnesses over those reported in November. Steve Todd, health officer for the tri-county health department, said while the actual number of reported flu cases since the end of November has only grown from zero to 13 cases, the number of flu-like illnesses has more than …

Donald E. Clipfell, 79, of White Pigeon, died on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015 at his home following a short illness. He was born on April 1, 1935 in Three Rivers the son of Wyman and Ruth (Pridgeon) Clipfell. Graduate of Three Rivers High School in 1953. Resident of White Pigeon since 1959 coming from Marcellus. Employed as a machinist for …

Cleon W. Frye, age 80, of Marcellus, MI passed away Monday, January 12, 2015 at home. He was born October 28, 1934 in Three Rivers, MI the son of James H. and Velma (Watkins) Frye. Cleon loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was retired from truck driving. He is survived by his daughter Beatrice Reed; good friend/companion …

I usually save cute sayings and trivia for the end of my columns, but because this is the beginning of a new year, I think it would be appropriate to start out with some new thinking for 2015: Practice gratitude. We could all benefit from doing more of this. Remember that tomorrow is always a new day. Do what you …

Esther L. Clark, 89, of Kalamazoo, passed peacefully on Jan. 9, 2015 of natural causes. She was born June 10, 1925 in Kalamazoo to her parents Albert and Elithier Arink, and is preceded in death by her loving husband, Alfred L. Clark. Esther received her Bachelor’s Degree from Western Michigan University and continued on to University of Michigan for her …

Five unlocked vehicles were ransacked and had items stolen from them during incidents that occurred last week in Leonidas and Colon Townships. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said the incidents occurred between late Thursday night and in the early morning hours Friday on Blossom Road. The first incident took place outside a residence in the 54000 block of Blossom …

The Three Rivers Lions Club has announced it is accepting nominations for the “Three Rivers Lions Club Bruce C. Snook Citizen of the Year” award. Presented since 1965, the Three Rivers Lions Club’s Citizen of the Year award was renamed in 2014 to honor Snook, a community activist and longtime Lion who passed away in 2013. The award recognizes people …

Chester “Chet” John DalPonte, age 90, of Three Rivers passed away on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at Bronson Methodist Hospital. He was born on January 20, 1924 in Three Rivers, MI the son of Valentino and Elizabeth (Grazian) DalPonte. Chet was a 1943 graduate of Three Rivers High School. Following his graduation, he honorably served our country through his military …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency, through its program called “Ins and Outs,” is scheduling appointments to assist area residents with signing up through the Healthcare Marketplace or for Medicaid. Open enrollment for the Healthcare Marketplace will end Feb. 15. According to Steve Todd, health officer for the tri-county health department, the agency has available eight certified, in-person assisters who …

Donna Jean Witmeyer, age 84, passed away on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at Skaggs Assisted Living in Burr Oak, MI. She was born on July 14, 1930 in Marlboro, OH the daughter of Donald and L. Berdine(Folk)Unger. Donna graduated from Marlboro High School in 1948 and took some college courses in Ohio and Indiana. In 1949 she married Robert Lee …