Ruth Lewis, 99, passed away Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at the Mason Nursing Home in Warsaw, Ind. She was born on Nov. 4, 1913 to Ira and Sarah (Foreman) Franklin on a farm south of Three Rivers on Roys Road. Ruth was one of nine children. She lived in the Three Rivers area all of her life with the exception …

A 42-year-old Porter Township man faces up to 20 years in prison after he was found guilty of stalking and assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, by a Cass County jury earlier this month. Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz said Shawn Lockmondy will be sentenced July 12 in Circuit Court after the two-day jury trial …

State Rep. Matt Lori last week applauded his House colleagues for approving a bill he introduced to reform the Medicaid system while expanding coverage for nearly half a million needy Michigan residents. The measure cleared the House with strong bipartisan support, Lori said. The reform includes several safeguards, which will provide those who come under the new guidelines to obtain …

Two longtime Sturgis residents were named its citizens of the year during a Monday kick-of dinner for the second annual Sturgis Fest community celebration. Claudia Pahls and Larry Franks were honored during the event. Pahls has been an educator at Sturgis High School since 1980, most recently serving as a career prep coordinator. Franks is past president of Burr Oak …

A 28-year-old St. Joseph County man suspected of robbing the Centreville Shell Mart has been arrested in Chicago. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Chicago Police arrested Demetrius Banks Saturday night outside a residence in the city. Banks was caught in the backyard of a residence where police were called to report a suspicious person on the property. Banks, …

Violet Aleda Pierce, age 88 of Mendon went to meet the Lord on Tuesday June 25, 2013 after a courageous battle with A.L.S. She was born in Morley, IA on Feb. 24, 1925 the daughter of John H. and Mary (Fischer) Butschi. She was married to Floyd Pierce in April of 1942. He died in March of 1968. While in …

Lester C. “Butch” Westphal, 67, of Three Rivers, died Sunday, June 23, 2013 in Three Rivers Health. Butch was born June 3, 1946 in Jones to Lester and Gertrude (Tank) Westphal. He married Lois June Hunsberger in 1965 in Cassopolis. She survives. He was preceded in death by his parents. Butch was the head of a close knit family whom …

I’d like to make one more comment on this year’s Water Festival. Last week I gave sort of a review on the Festival from my perspective, but there seem to be a few who are still upset about the cancelling of the Saturday Main Stage entertainment and fireworks. The Water Festival committee did not cancel anything. The fireworks company cancelled …

An 87-year-ol Constantine man was not injured after he drove into a farm vehicle last week in Florence Township. Michigan State Police said George Cole was cited for disobeying a stop sign after he struck an ATV driven by 74-year-old Paul Steffel, of Sturgis. Steffel was thrown from his ATV and was treated at Sturgis Hospital for minor injuries. Steffel …

A 16-year-old Three Rivers girl has returned home after she was reported missing June 14. Three Rivers Police said they received contact from Aleah Means Friday evening, a week after she was believed to be in Kalamazoo with a 21-year-old man. Police have not provided information about where she spent the week, though they noted Means left Three Rivers on …