The village of Constantine was awarded a grant in excess of $240,000 Friday from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. During a ceremony at the village office, municipal leaders accepted the money awarded as part of a Downtown Infrastructure Grant. The $242,000 gift was contingent on an $80,000 match from the village. Village Manager Mark Honeysett said the funds will help …

State Sen. Bruce Caswell announced he will not seek re-election later this year. The 64-year-old Caswell said his tenure will end Dec. 31. He took over the position from Cameron Brown starting in January 2011. Caswell, a retired superintendent of Pittsford Area Schools, had turned in his petition to run again. However, Caswell said he will withdraw his petition and …

Here’s a reminder that online voting for the People’s Choice continues through Wednesday for the upcoming Dancing With the St. Joseph County Stars event. Event organizer Linda Kline said an award will be presented after Friday’s production to the couple that receives the most online votes for People’s Choice. Voting for the award will continue the day of the event …

Officials from World Fare have announced the Rivers of Justice Film Festival will take place April 4 and 5 in downtown Three Rivers. Kirstin Vander Giessen-Reitsma  said the festival includes three feature-length films at the Riviera Theatre. Banana Land, playing April 4, explores issues of worker and environmental justice in banana-growing regions. On April 5, The House I Live In …

Alice Marie Rockelein, age 88, of Leonidas, died Saturday March 1, 2014 at the Heritage-Upjohn Community Care Center in Kalamazoo. She was born in Mattawan on June 24, 1925 the daughter of John and Loretta (McCarthy) Kelly. Alice was married to Joseph L. Rockelein in Paw Paw on October 11, 1952 and has resided on a farm north of Leonidas …

Frank “Tete” Osborn, age 83, of Three Rivers, passed away Thursday, February 27th, 2014 at Three Rivers Health. He was born in Three Rivers on June 7, 1930, a son of Donald and Beulah (Franklin) Osborn. Frank graduated from Constantine High School in 1948. Frank was married to Betty (Flack) Osborn for 22 years. He worked at CG Conn Musical …

Ardena Joyce Wells, age 86, of Three Rivers, passed away Wednesday evening, Feb. 26, 2014,at the New Friends Assisted Living, Kalamazoo, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Three Rivers, MI., on Feb. 3, 1928, the daughter of Bernard and Pauline Wetherbee Smith. On Jan. 20, 1950, Ardena married the love of her life, Mr. Lane Wells. Together …

John Marshall Pollard Sr., 66, of Three Rivers, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014 at his home. He was born on July 20, 1947 in Portsmouth, Ohio the son of Clarence E. and Lida May (Hammond) Pollard. Mr. Pollard has been a long time resident of this area. He was employed at Centurion Trailer Factory for over 19 …

John L. Currier, age 84, of Sturgis, Michigan passed away early Thursday morning February 27, 2014 at his home. He was born August 19, 1929 in Burr Oak Township, Michigan eldest son of the late Leo and Elizabeth (Nusbaum) Currier. John resided in the Sturgis and Burr Oak, area his whole life. On August 31, 1947 he married Edna Miller …

Concerns about the city’s recommendation to leave a trickle of water running as a precaution against frozen pipes were expressed during last week’s Three Rivers City Commission meeting. Residents Jim Everett and Helen Dettmar asked Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners if residents who adhere to the request would be given a break on their water bills. City manager Joe Bippus …