Two firefighters from the Three Rivers department have been promoted. Travis McGahan and Jeff Bloomfield were recognized during a pinning ceremony at last week’s city commission meeting. McGahan has risen to the status of full-time firefighter, while Bloomfield was promoted to deputy chief. McGahan lives in Three Rivers while Bloomfield is a Marcellus resident. Bloomfield, who was promoted from the …

St. Joseph County has reached a lease agreement with Nottawa Township regarding Nottawa Park. The move came during last week’s county commission meeting, three years after the county turned over ownership and operations of the Sand Lake park to the township. According to terms of the arrangement, which takes effect Jan. 1, the county will lease the park for $5 …

Kenneth L. Jungjohan, age 86, of Mendon, died Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014, after a lengthy illness. Cremation has been conducted and memorial services will be announced in January 2015 by Eickhoff Funeral Home in Mendon.

Julia Josephine Rewa, 90, died Dec. 9, 2014 at Fairview Living and Rehabilitation in Centreville. She was born in Grand Rapids on April 26, 1924 the daughter of John J. and Ida May (Shawl) Rewa. Julia resided at the Lapeer and Coldwater State homes, and briefly in adult foster care in Sturgis before becoming a patient at Fairview. She was …

A motions hearing for perjury suspect Raymond McCann II took place Thursday before St. Joseph County Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman. Prosecutors said McCann made five false statements during hours of sworn testimony related to the November 2007 night when 11-year-old Jodi Parrack was found dead in a Constantine Township cemetery. McCann’s attorney, James Mequio of Portage, argued that the …

State Rep. Matt Lori last week voted on a bipartisan plan to fund road and bridge repair and maintenance by asking voters to approve a one-cent increase to the state sales tax. Lori said he is happy the House and Senate reached a consensus on a long-term, sustainable plan to maintain and repair the state’s deteriorating roads and bridges. If …

The public-comment period regarding the St. Joseph County Water Trail Master Plan has been postponed until January. The plan will be available for public review for a month beginning Jan. 16, according to Suzanne Fromson, landscape architect with Edgewater Resources. Fromson, whose company was hired by the county to work on the master plan, said a hard copy of the …

The newest restaurant in St. Joseph County hosted a by-invitation-only crowd Friday, marking the first public gathering at The Local. Owned by Dan and Jamie Templin, The Local will open to the general public Saturday. The downtown Centreville venue was previously known as the Round Up, which closed in late April. Dan Templin said the eatery will focus on fresh, …

Anna Marie Armstrong, age 96, of Three Rivers, died Friday, Dec. 19, 2014 at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She was born in Platteville, WI on Oct. 18, 1918 the daughter of the late Fred B. and Lena E. (Hons) Stark, and graduated from Platteville High School. While attending high school she worked as a candy salesman, cleaned homes, and …

Mr. Santos M. Candelaria, age 86, of Three Rivers passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at the Riverview Manor Nursing Home. He was born on April 2, 1928 in Puerto Rico, the son of the late Antonio and Eujenia (Mercardo) Candelaria as well as two brothers and one sister. Mr. Candelaria was united in marriage on Sept. 3, …