Gregory B. Staines, age 61, passed away in the late hours of  Monday, August 5, 2019 at his stepdaughter’s home. He was born Oct. 25, 1957, in Anderson, to Austin and Betty (Kurtz) Staines. Both preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by a nephew, David. He is survived by two stepchildren, Justin Cripe, Goshen, and Amber …

Carolyn J. King, age 84, formerly of Colon, passed away Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at Amber Way in Kalamazoo. Carolyn was born June 14, 1935, in Detroit, to the late James and Della (Gustafson) Merrifield. She lived most of her life in Colon, graduating from Colon High School with the class of 1953. She then continued her education at The University …

A long-vacant business in Centreville will soon be razed. Marcus Gleaton, owner of Gleaton-Swanwick Agency in Centreville, has purchased the former Village Market property. Gleaton recently indicated he plans to tear down the old grocery store, since repairing damage from a fire and fixing the roof could cost well over $500,000. Two other units in the plaza, the former Habitat …

Scholastic and St. Joseph County United Way are partnering with the St. Joseph County Intermediate School District to support a book drive. The goal is $100,000, which would allow for the purchase of books for all nine public school districts in the county. The United Way has agreed to match the first $10,000. In addition, Scholastic will donate free books …

Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners last week approved a motion to allow the head of the Commission On Aging to sign off on apartment leases. Commissioners granted COA director Tim Stoll signatory authorization for leases at the Rivers Enrichment Center and Residence, the former Three Rivers Inn that is being converted to a 46-unit residence for …

Edwin G. Austin (“Ed”), age 55, of Kalamazoo, made his transition from this life on Saturday, July 20, 2019. Ed was born on February 22, 1964, to Edwin R. and Mary J. (Carney) Austin. He was preceded in death by his beloved son, Daniel B. Austin; his father Edwin R. Austin; and his mother Mary J. (Carney) Austin. Ed is …

The Southern Michigan Invasive Species Team is presenting a wildlife-habitat management workshop this weekend. The three-hour program starts at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Kinderhook Township Hall in Branch County and then continues at Coldwater State Park. Event organizer Jared Harmon said the workshop will cover topics that include invasive-species management and identification, as well as wildlife habitat restoration management techniques …

An Illinois teen was injured as a result of a tubing accident last weekend on Cass County’s Shavehead Lake. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called just after 4:30 p.m. Sunday to the Porter Township lake. Family members told deputies a 15-year-old boy from Orland Park was tubing when he and his friend fell off the tube. The victim was …

Three Rivers officers last week recovered a motorcycle reported stolen Aug. 4 from a residence in the Meadow Lane Trailer Park. According to a department media release, friends of the victim subsequently noticed the motorcycle Wednesday at Edgewater Apartments. As the friends inquired about the motorcycle, the suspect got on the two-wheeler and sped away. Officers were made aware that …

Century Bank and Trust branches in St. Joseph County are collecting school supplies through the month of August in hopes of stuffing 48 backpacks. The goal is to distribute the backpacks to area schools who have students in need as the school year gets under way later this month. The bank has locations in Three Rivers, Nottawa and Sturgis.