Michael Willis, 13, died on February 7, 2014.  Funeral arrangements are pending at the Hohner Funeral Home.

Thirty-one-year-old Nathan Lumbard has been ordered to serve between six and 15 years in prison, following his sentencing last week. Lumbard, a LaGrange County resident, was sentenced Friday in St. Joseph County Circuit Court by Judge Paul Stutesman for setting fire to Welch’s Steak and Ribs in May 2009. Lumbard was also charged with breaking and entering to commit larceny. …

A committee supporting a proposed millage-increase being sought by White Pigeon Community Schools kicked off its campaign last week. The Yes Committee, whose members are promoting participation in the May 6 request, plans to maintain a visible presence at school-related and public functions over the next three months. Co-chair Jody Davidson said the committee is also helping the public understand …

Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority members expect to hear this week whether the agency is awarded a step up to a “Select” level in the Michigan Main Street community. A team of DDA and community members made a presentation before a panel of judges last week in Lansing as part of the process to earn the Select status. If chosen …

Seven people were arrested last week on drug-related charges following a raid at a residence in Sturgis. The St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit executed a search warrant at a residence in the 200 block of North Clay Street, where three men and four women were arrested. Charges include possession of methamphetamine and maintaining a drug house. Three children were …

A Detroit police officer has been cleared in the 2012 fatal shooting of a woman who grabbed his service pistol during a party in his backyard. Deputy Police Chief Rodney Johnson tells The Associated Press that 40-year-old Isaac Parrish never was charged in the death of 24-year-old Adaisha Miller. Police had said Miller “embraced” Parrish from behind while dancing. Parrish …

Cyrus Thomas Stevenson Jr., age 74, of Three Rivers passed away on Friday, February 7th, 2014 at his home. He was born on March 17, 1939 in Janesville, Wisconsin the son of the late Cyrus and Mary (Schloemer) Stevenson Sr. Mr. Stevenson’s family moved to Three Rivers in 1941 and Cyrus graduated from Three Rivers High School. In 1958 he …

Barbara Lee Shearer, age 85, of White Pigeon, passed away Saturday, February 8th, 2014 at her home. She was born in Culver, IN on December 10, 1928. In December 1963 she married Eddie L. Shearer in Elkhart. Barbara was owner & operator of Riverview Tavern, (Ma’s Place) in White Pigeon for 50 years. Surviving are her husband Eddie Shearer, White …

Mary Arzella Wittenberg, age 85, of Constantine, returned home on Sunday, February 9th, 2014 at Three Rivers Health. She was born on August 13, 1928 a daughter of Jacob and Gladys (Pierce) Kuhn in Detroit. Mary graduated from Constantine High School with the class of 1947. On May 1, 1948 she married Elmer Leon Wittenberg at St. Pauls Lutheran Church …

James F. Bucher, Jr., age 51 of White Pigeon, died Saturday Feb. 8, 2014 at his parent’s home in Mendon following a long illness. He was born in Benton Harbor, MI on Aug. 28, 1962 the son of James and Doris (Burton) Bucher. James played football and baseball before his graduation from Stevensville-Lakeshore High School. He joined the U.S. Air …