Marvin F. Papke, age 84, of White Pigeon, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018, at his home. His request was to be cremated and to have no visitation or funeral service. Arrangements are by Farrand Funeral Home in White Pigeon.

They call me Jake.  I am a two year old, neutered, male, lab mix.  I think I am rather handsome with a pretty tri-color coat.  I am friendly, housebroke, and playful fetching balls.  They say I am a “chewer” and dog treats or bones don’t seem to keep me from chewing.  The ladies think I need a place to run …

Sturgis Hospital announced Wednesday it is implementing limited visitation in all hospital areas to reduce the transmission of influenza from person to person. Hospital visitors will be limited to18 years of age or older, visitors to maternity areas are limited to immediate family, siblings under 18 years will be able to visit the newborn and may be screened for fever, …

Some positive news related to Michigan State University was yielded during Wednesday’s executive committee meeting of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. Julie Pioch, MSU Extension’s District 13 coordinator, provided commissioners with the agency’s annual report covering 2017. She said it was a year of great programming with outstanding work taking place. Pioch’s annual report elaborated on a number …

The Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted at its January meeting to support the St. Joseph County 911 in an upcoming millage-increase request. Slated to appear before voters in May, the agency is seeking to increase its existing millage from three-quarters of a mill to one full mill. The proposed one-quarter-of-a-mill increase will allow for technology …

Scientists at Chicago’s Field Museum are studying a piece of the meteor that broke apart earlier this month over Michigan. The meteorite, the size of a peach pit, arrived Wednesday. NASA scientists say the 6-foot-wide meteor broke apart about 20 miles over Earth on Jan. 16. It created a bright light and what sounded like thunder in the sky. Museum …

Deborah L. Millirans, age 54, of Constantine, passed away Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at Borgess Medical Center. She was born in Long Beach, CA on March 5, 1963, a daughter of Donald and Louella (Thomas) Holland. Debbie graduated from Three Rivers schools. On December 4, 2002, she married Brian Millirans in Las Vegas, NV. She enjoyed arts and crafts, searching …

A one-year agreement approved by county leaders will continue the services provided by Anthony Meyaard in the capacity of equalization director. The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 16 passed a resolution in support of Meyaard’s employment. The resolution detailed a number of deadlines relevant to the role that Meyaard must meet throughout the year. According to terms …

A Marcellus man was airlifted from the scene of a one-vehicle accident earlier this week in Cass County’s Wayne Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were alerted shortly before 2 a.m. Sunday to a car-versus-tree incident on Lawrence Road, near Marcellus Highway. The driver, 23-year-old Terance Hartzell, was driving south on Lawrence Road when he swerved his car to avoid …

State Rep. Aaron Miller has joined his colleagues in the Michigan House to approve legislation giving Michigan residents, including families and seniors, broader income-tax relief. The legislation continues and increases the personal exemption ceiling for Michigan taxpayers and their dependents on their state income taxes. Other bills in the package provide additional tax alleviation for senior citizens in the form …