Organizers of the fifth annual Burr Oak Heritage Festival said despite rain and cool temperatures during key events, the 2013 community celebration was a success. Sunday’s community worship service and hog roast had to be moved indoors due to wet conditions. Also, temperatures only in the upper 50s resulted in Saturday’s fireworks display drawing a smaller crowd than last year. …

A 32-year-old White Pigeon man was airlifted to Borgess Medical Center Friday evening after he was involved in a motorcycle crash in Mottville Township. The incident occurred on U.S. 12 near Mann Road. The victim was identifed as Cheyenne King. He reportedly collided with the rear of a minivan which had stopped for construction.

Sixteen area children between 8 and 13 years of age spent several hours Friday in the Fishing With A Cop program at Camp Fort Hill. Organized by White Pigeon Police officer Jim Story and Michigan State Police trooper Matt Lackey, the 17th annual event included fishing, swimming and a meal of hot dogs and burgers cooked and donated by the …

Juanita Grace Keister died on July 23, 2013, in Colorado Springs, Colorado at the age of 96. She was born Nov. 22, 1916, in Bippus, Ind., (Huntington County), the daughter of Myrtle Tobias Ziegler and Cyrus Ziegler. She married Howard Homer Keister on March 6, 1935, in Fort Wayne, Ind., and they welcomed their daughter, Marlene, in 1936. Juanita and …

The first American sedan in 20 years to earn Consumer Reports’ top score is the Chevrolet Impala. The magazine has ranked the completely reworked 2014 version of the full-size car as its top U.S. sedan, based on ride, handling, quality of materials and other factors. It’s the first time in two decades that a domestic brand has beaten cars from …

Jeromiah James Gieber, age 32, of Three Rivers passed away suddenly on Thursday, July 25, 2013. He was born in Three Rivers, MI on May 5, 1981 the son of Mark James “Jim” and Lisa(Thomas)Gieber. Jeromiah was a graduate of Three Rivers High School. He enjoyed attending W.O.R.D. Fellowship Church. Jeromiah was preceded in death by brother, Anthony “Tony” Gieber, …

James Robin Smith, 58, of White Pigeon, died Wednesday, July 24, 2013, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, after a short illness. He was born May 11, 1955, in South Bend, Ind., a son of Bruce A. and Janet F. (Hall) Smith. He had been a resident of White Pigeon since October of 2011, coming from Elkhart, Ind. On Oct. 21, 1989, …

Mel Wayne Swihart, age 66, of Sturgis, Michigan passed away Thursday, July 25, 2013 at his home. He was born November 27, 1947 in Sturgis, Michigan son of the late Nicholas M. and Maxine (Baker) Swihart. Mel was a lifelong Sturgis area resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1966. Mel retired from the City …

Jerry L. Randall, age 74, of Sturgis, Michigan passed away Thursday morning July 25, 2013 at the Heartland Health Care Center in Three Rivers, Michigan. He was born July 16, 1939 in Sturgis, Michigan son of the late Perry Lavern and Hazel Flavilla (Fish) Randall. Jerry resided in Sturgis for the past 50 years coming from LaGrange, Indiana where he …

A Three Rivers man died Thursday in a 1-car crash in Illinois. The victim was identified as 71-year-old Tom Quake. The crash happened on I-57 near Kankakee when Quake reportedly lost control of his convertible, and the car flipped several times. Illinois State Police say Quake was not wearing a seat belt.