Bobby Joe Melville, age 57, of Leonidas, passed away on Wednesday, January 22, 2020 at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo.  Bobby was born in Sturgis on April 9, 1962, a son of Pete and Luella (Scarlett) Melville.  He attended Pathfinders School in Centreville. Bobby is survived by his siblings John (Felicia) Melville of Columbia, SC, Cindy (Darren) Egnor of South …

Mark Lillywhite was sworn in Tuesday as St. Joseph County sheriff. During a ceremony at the county courthouse, county clerk Lindsay Oswald swore in Lillywhite, who will complete the remaining 11 months of Brad Balk’s four-year term. Balk announced in November his retirement effective Jan. 31. Lillywhite, 44, said he appreciates the opportunity to complete Balk’s term and plans to …

A fire this week at a home in Sturgis caused minor damage. According to Sturgis Fire Department, the incident took place around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday at 203 S. Jefferson St. Dispatchers said smoke and fire were detected in the attic. Fire crews found a small fire after opening up a knee wall in the second-story attic. The fire was quickly …

Natalie Boland will be honored by Sturgis Exchange Club when it conducts its 77th annual “Book of Golden Deeds” award ceremony next month. Boland was selected for the award in recognition of her volunteer efforts and ability to offer help to so many organizations that have positively affected the community. The program will take place at 11:45 a.m. Feb. 6 …

David Lee Johnson, age 43, of Three Rivers, passed away in the early morning hours of Sunday, January 19, 2020 in Kalamazoo. He was born on October 18, 1976 in Kalamazoo, the son of David Duncan and Brenda (Chambliss) Johnson. David had a love for many things including, but not limited to, basketball, UFC, music, and guns. What David cherished …

St. Joseph County Treasurer Judie Ratering announced Tuesday she will not seek re-election in the August primary to a third, four-year term. Addressing the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners, Ratering on Tuesday said she plans to retire after her current term expires at the end of the year. The 60-year-old Ratering was appointed by a statutory committee in February …

Erin Goff, who has spent the past five years as director of community corrections, has been named emergency management coordinator of St. Joseph County. During Tuesday’s county commission meeting, Goff was tapped to succeed TJ Baker, who has returned to work for the sheriff department’s patrol division. Due to Goff’s new job, commissioners Tuesday approved an exception to the county …

Three Rivers police officers last weekend arrested a man with a loaded gun. According to a department media release, officers were called around 11 p.m. Saturday to the 800 block of South Main Street in response to a man holding a gun to a woman’s head. The woman was not harmed and the man left the area, fleeing on foot. …

Permission for use of the courthouse property was granted Tuesday to organizers of the Centreville Covered Bridge Days festival. County commissioners OK’d the written request from festival chair Vicki Allen. The two-day festival begins July 17 and permission for use of the property’s east, north and west lawns was given for 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. the first day and …

I am called “Booker”.  One guy here calls me Booker T. Washington.  I am a male lab mix about one and a half years old.  I am a little slow to warm up to you, but am friendly after that.  I am about 65 pounds big.  So I hope you come out and see me.  My docket number is 47213, …