Jacqueline “Jackie” “Ma” Sayer (Niendorf-Forseman) passed away on Saturday, May 24, 2014 at Bronson Methodist Hospital after a brief illness. Jackie was born in Three Rivers on January 4, 1930 to Dr. and Mrs. CF and Merna(Rathburn)Niendorf, joining her big sister Patricia(Robert)Thompson, who survives. She resided in Three Rivers most of her life, graduating from Three Rivers High School in …

Governor Rick Snyder has signed into law legislation that will increase Michigan’s minimum wage to $9.25 per hour by 2018. Under the compromise bill, which received bipartisan support in both chambers of the state Legislature yesterday (Tue), the minimum wage will gradually increase from $7.40 to $9.25 per hour by 2018. Meanwhile, the rate for tipped employees will be 38 …

David B. Hunt, age 56, of Kalamazoo, MI passed away as the result of a car accident on Memorial Day, May 26, 2014. He was born June 24, 1957 in Dowagiac, MI the son of Jack and June (Tribbett) Hunt. He was a Three Rivers High School graduate. As a 15 year Army Veteran, he served with the 504th Parachute …

A 9-year-old Sturgis boy was treated for non-life-threatening injuries after he was struck by a car last weekend in Constantine Township. A helicopter trying to fly the youth to a Kalamazoo hospital, however, resulted in damage to the AirCare ambulance. Constantine fire officials said the incident occurred around 10 a.m. Sunday in the 25000 block of Riverside Drive. Investigators said …

A faulty extension cord is believed to have been responsible for starting a fire last weekend in Sturgis. Sturgis fire officials said the blaze was reported at 9:50 p.m. Saturday in the 300 block of South Monroe Street. Upon arrival, firefighters noticed smoke emitting from two second-floor bedrooms. The victims told firefighters they attempted to extinguish the fire on their …

A 16-year-old girl from Colon was found to be safe over the weekend, three days after she was reported missing. The Colon Police Department said the girl was last seen leaving Heartwood Renaissance Academy in Three Rivers around 12:45 p.m. Thursday. Police reported she was found Sunday morning in Three Rivers and returned to her residence later in the day. …

The St. Joseph County Conservation District is inviting the public to participate in the first of a series of tree-planting events scheduled to take place over the next year. As part of Project ReLEAF, about 125 native hardwood trees will be planted Thursday morning in a quarter acre area off Marcellus Road in Park Township. The goal is to plant …

“Save The Frogs!” No, this isn’t some Sci-Fi movie coming to a theater near you. It’s an event that started last year, and because of its cause and popularity, it’s happening again this year. I mentioned this event a couple of months ago and gave you a preview of what will happen this year. I mentioned at the time that …

Robert and Laurie Rastovski will get a new trial for their claim against North Pointe Insurance Company after their business, Welch’s Steak and Ribs in Sturgis, was leveled in a 2009 arson. The insurance company refused to pay on the policy after it claimed Robert Rastovski had hired an arsonist to burn the business on Fawn River Road. During the …

Organizers of the 2014 Burr Oak Heritage Festival are inviting the public to be a part of a Vaudeville-style show taking place during the four-day community celebration. The show will be featured July 25. Organizers said they are looking for comedians, singers, ventriloquists, dancers, musicians, small animal acts, contortionists, tumblers, actors, jugglers, weight lifters or any act that can keep …