Here’s a weekly update from the Michigan Department of Transportation regarding the U.S. 131 project in Three Rivers. For northbound and southbound lanes, construction will continue on the existing median curb lane islands. They will be replaced with temporary paving this week. Meanwhile, crews will continue utility work on outside shoulders, while median work will also continue on median traffic …

Gary E. Phillips, age 83, of Sturgis, passed away early Thursday morning, May 16, 2019, at Rose Arbor Hospice Residence in Kalamazoo. He was born July 9, 1935, in Holland, a son of the late Ernie M. and Thelma E. (Smith) Phillips. Gary resided in Sturgis since 1963, coming from Traverse City. On Dec. 18, 1953, he married Patricia A. …

Thelma E. Fiebelkorn, age 87, of Burr Oak, passed away Wednesday morning, May 15, 2019, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She was born Feb. 4, 1932, in Sturgis, a daughter of the late Clarence and Pauline (Maxwell) Maystead. Thelma resided most of her life in the Burr Oak area and was a graduate of Burr Oak High School with …

Gene Autry Reiff, Sr. of Constantine, MI, passed away Wednesday, May 15th, 2019 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Gene was born in Constantine, MI on April 5, 1933, a son of Rueben and Vera (Luft) Reiff. On September 7, 1951 he married Shirley Eash. She preceded him in death in 1988. Gene later met the love of …

Three Rivers Middle School was briefly in lockdown mode Thursday morning. District officials said the decision was made shortly after 9 a.m. following the report of a threat at the school building. Officers from the Three Rivers Police Department met with district administrators and after comparing notes, it was determined that the threat was not credible and classes resumed under …

A Centreville High School student was named the winner of this year’s Congressional Art Competition for Michigan’s Sixth Congressional District. U.S. Rep. Fred Upton announced this week that Makala Carr, a junior, is the recipient of this year’s award. Carr’s art, featuring the use of a colored pencil, charcoal and ink pen, is titled “Opinion Orange” and will hang in …

Law-enforcement agencies locally and across the state will begin a program next week focusing on seatbelt use. Stepped up enforcement begins Monday and will involve local departments, county sheriff departments and state police. The “Click It or Ticket” campaign will conclude June 2. The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning staged a media gathering Thursday to help promote the program. …

Margaret “Peggy” (Coulter) Foster, age 93, formerly of Detroit, passed away on Friday, May 3, 2019, at Friendship Village in Kalamazoo.  She was born June 30, 1925, in Canada, to Stanley and Bertha (Belcher) Coulter.  As a young girl and teenager, she became an avid lover of physical activity and organized sports, including hockey, golf, bowling, and tennis.  Choosing to …

John E. Gaylor, age 81, passed away Monday, May 6, 2019. John was born in Almont, MI and raised on a farm in the Upper Peninsula (Fibre, MI). He married his beloved wife: Dora Mae Wiseman, on October 22, 1960, in Harbor springs, MI. John loved spending time with his family, his pets (especially his dogs), telling jokes, camping, and …

Robert Lewis Ball, age 95, died on Monday, May 13, 2019. Arrangements are pending at Hohner Funeral Home.