Three Rivers Community Schools Superintendent Ron Moag is seeking input on a survey designed to help the district with developing a 15-year facilities and site master plan. The district’s first-year superintendent said school officials are evaluating the current status of all buildings to identify short- and long-term plans and needs. The online survey will provide parent and community input necessary …

Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners this week reluctantly accepted a grant from Michigan’s Indigent Defense Commission. During Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners approved a motion netting the county $266,000 from the state source. The discontent came from the fact the county is obliged to satisfy terms of the agreement, which amounts to $414,000. The grant is retroactive to …

In light of an incident earlier this week in Branch County’s Sherwood Township, law-enforcement authorities are reminding the public to keep their vehicle doors locked at all times when parked outside. Troopers were called to the 1000 block of Ralston Road after it was discovered that a wallet was stolen from a vehicle between 4:40 and 9 p.m. Tuesday. Upon …

Work on a railroad crossing in Three Rivers started Wednesday and will continue through Tuesday. City officials said the Michigan Department of Transportation indicated the work at West Michigan Avenue and will involve a full replacement of the crossing. The third of three crossing repairs in the city will start Wednesday next week and focus on the crossing at South …

A camper was stolen sometime between Sunday and Monday from a location in Constantine Township. State police said the incident occurred between 9:30 p.m. Sunday and 6 a.m. Monday in the 10000 block of Quaker Street. The theft was reported at 6 p.m. Monday. Taken was a white, Viking pop-up camper with a Michigan trailer plate. It features a roof-mounted …

An elderly Branch County man was the victim of a fraud inspection that resulted in the theft of his safe. Michigan State Police troopers said the incident occurred mid-morning last week at a residence in the 900 block of South Fremont Road in California Township. The suspects preoccupied the elderly resident by asking to inspect his electric service. It is …

Larry L. Carpenter, age 63, of Bristol, Ind., and formerly of Sturgis, passed away early Tuesday evening, Nov. 6, 2018, at Center for Hospice Care in Elkhart. He was born April 8, 1955 in Sturgis, a son of the late Lloyd and Hope (Hedglin) Carpenter. Larry resided most of his life in Sturgis, living the past six years in Bristol. …

Elijah Jawan Hamilton, age 21, passed away on Friday, November 2, 2018 in Three Rivers. He was born on November 15, 1996 in Sturgis, the son of Kevin and Ericka (Wright) Hamilton. He was a graduate of Three Rivers High School Class of 2015.  In high school, Elijah participated in basketball, student council, TRAM (Three Rivers Area Mentoring), and was …

I am Jax!  I am a coonhound with something mixed in.  I am a handsome, black and tan two year old.  In case you didn’t pick up from my name, I am a male.  The people who gave me up said I get along with other dogs and am housetrained.  I am a bit on the exuberant side and I …

Deb Providakes, age 59, of Sturgis, passed away Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. She was born March 26, 1959, in Springfield, Mass., a daughter of the late Anthony F. and Barbara (Chaffee) Marino. On Oct. 29, 1977, she married Bill F. Providakes in Springfield. Deb was a florist for more than 40 years and was …