A Michigan farm group says the state’s harsh winter has damaged some fruit trees and vineyards. The Michigan Farm Bureau says the late thaw is finally allowing fruit farmers to assess damage from the cold and heavy snow. Horticulture and forestry specialist Ken Nye says there’s going to be some bud damage and also “potential damage to the wood.” Michigan …

Harold Marlowe Blough, age 81, of Three Rivers, went to be with his Lord on Saturday, April 5th, 2014 at the Bowman House surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Vistula, Indiana, on Sept. 2, 1932 the son of the late William and Pauline (Judy) Blough. Mr. Blough has been a long time resident of this area. On …

Bertha A. Stauffer, age 82, of Centreville, passed away April 3, 2014 at Birch Adult Foster Care in Leonidas. She was born on October 1, 1931, in Nottawa Twp, a daughter of William and Lydia (Miller) Bontrager . On September 21, 1950 Bertha married Henry J. Stauffer in Nottawa. He preceded her in death on September 20, 2013. Bertha was …

The Three Rivers Police Department would like to thank the public for its help in response to a voluntary missing person. Eighteen-year-old Zachary Allen Kelley has been located in Georgia, safe with a family member. According to a Three Rivers Police media report, Kelley was last seen by his parents Tuesday. He had spent the night at a family member’s …

Sturgis firefighters were called to a home in the 300 block of South Fourth Street just after 7 p.m. Wednesday for a kitchen fire. Fire personnel arrived to find the homeowner with a garden hose spraying water through the back door of the home. Fire crews entered the structure and extinguished the fire. Officials said the house sustained considerable smoke …

Here’s a reminder that the Rivers of Justice Film Festival takes place this weekend in downtown Three Rivers. Kirstin Vander Giessen-Reitsma said the festival includes three feature-length films at the Riviera Theatre. Banana Land, playing at 8 o’clock tonight, explores issues of worker and environmental justice in banana-growing regions. At 6 p.m. Saturday, The House I Live In will invite …

Jennifer Miller, administrator of the St. Joseph County Conservation District, was honored as the Conservation Partner of the Year by the Branch County Conservation District. The Branch County Conservation District gives the annual award to recognize a deserving person who goes above and beyond the call of duty for the cause of conservation. The award was presented to Miller last …

St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners has set a time and date for a work session to meet with the county road commission. The meeting, set for 3 p.m. April 30 at the county courthouse, will center on the road commission’s millage renewal request this year and an update on road conditions in general. County administrator Pat Yoder said he …

Kalamazoo police say they think a missing 56-year-old man broke through the ice after going cross country skiing on a lake. The Department of Public Safety says the Kalamazoo man’s wife called Thursday morning to say her husband went to ski at Asylum Lake and didn’t return. The department says in a statement that authorities found the man’s vehicle in …

Jean Marie McKenzie, age 89, of Three Rivers, passed away early Thursday, April 3, 2014 at the Riverview Manor following a short illness. Jean was born May 3, 1924 in Three Rivers, the daughter of George H. and Vera (Boyer) Harmon. Jean was a lifetime resident of Three Rivers. She was extremely active in the American Legion Auxiliary, where she …