Sturgis Hospital marked National Nursing Week by honoring Alicia Navarro, RN, with the Faye Kerschner Nursing Excellence Award. Navarro provides patient care on the Medical/Surgical Unit and CCU, and also oversees education for nursing staff on her unit, and works to keep nursing policies updated. The award is given in memory of Faye Kerschner, a Sturgis Hospital nurse who was …

A public hearing on parking violations in Constantine is on tap next month, following discussion at a recent Constantine Village Council meeting. Council members earlier this month discussed imposing stiff fines, including vehicle impoundment, for improper and overtime parking in the business district. The council set a public hearing for 7:05 p.m. July 21 regarding the issue. Village manager Mark …

A Three Rivers man was charged with a number of motor-vehicle violations following an incident last weekend in Flowerfield Township. State police said a trooper was dispatched to the area of Null and Pulver roads around 6:30 p.m. Sunday in response to a civil complaint. While the trooper was on the scene, a 42-year-old man who was involved in the …

Jo Ann Rentfrow, age 71, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully Tuesday evening with her loving family at her side. She was born on June 20, 1943 in Three Rivers, MI., the daughter of the late Leonard and Lorene (Savage) Dane. Jo Ann has been a lifelong resident of Three Rivers. On Dec. 7th, 1959 she was united in marriage …

Elmer C. “Chuck” Oswald, 83, a man of godly character and integrity, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus. He died on Sunday, June 22, 2014 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo following a short illness. Born on Sept. 29, 1930 in Palms, Mich. the son of Andrew and Marguerite (Potts) Oswald. Graduate of Western Michigan University, veteran …

John “Grady” Overton, 85, of Three Rivers, passed away on Thursday, June 19, 2014 at Three Rivers Health following a brief illness. He was born in Boydell, Ark. on Jan. 25, 1929, the son of the late Edger and Alma (Bradley) Overton. Grady attended school in Jerome before moving to Bald Knob, Ark. In 1949 he was united in marriage …

Charlene A. (Blanchard) Minger, age 70, passed peacefully into eternal life on April 1, 2014 at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. Char was born Nov. 12, 1943 in Mendon to Maxwell A. and Vada (Campbell) Blanchard. After graduating from Mendon High School, she married David H. Minger on Sep. 1, 1962. As an adult, Char was called into pastoral ministry from …

Authorities say a 50-year-old man has been injured in an explosion while trying to make fireworks at his home in southwestern Michigan. Officers were called around 10:15 p.m. Tuesday to the home in Portage. Public safety Lt. John Blue says a suspected methamphetamine lab also was found at the scene, but that’s being investigated separately. Battalion Chief Rick Palmer says …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has signed a contract with a Sturgis-area man to serve as the grounds attendant at Cade Lake County Park. During action earlier this month, the commission and Burr Oak Township resident Richard Dell settled an agreement leading to Dell’s role for the summer and early fall months at the Fawn River Township park. …

St. Joseph County’s Central Dispatch is asking for help to reduce an increasing number of nuisance 911 calls placed by cell phones stored in pockets, purses and bags. These 911 pocket dials calls usually result from an object depressing a key on the cell phone’s keyboard that is programmed to dial 911 in case of emergencies. Most open-face phones have …