An effort is underway to allow Michigan voters to cast an absentee ballot for any or no reason. A coalition that includes civil libertarians and political activists filed ballot language Monday with the state. If approved, the next step would be a campaign to collect 316,000 signatures to get the issue on the fall ballot. The proposed amendment to Michigan’s …

Mark R. Russell, age 60, of Mendon, died Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018 from injuries received in a motor vehicle accident. He was born in Kalamazoo on Feb. 9, 1957 the son of Ivan G. and Helen K. (Reed) Russell. He graduated from Portage Central High School in 1975 and later attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Mark has been employed as …

Constance Joan (Topp) Kidder, age 84, of Three Rivers, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018. She was born near Coldwater  on Feb. 2, 1933 the daughter of Alvis and Estella (Nevil) Topp. She was preceded in death by her parents; five brothers, Robert, Raymond, Vincent, Herman, and Anthony Topp; five sisters, Mary Agnus, Rosella Delorse, …

Elizabeth “Betty” Jean Roberts, age 82, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 21, 2018 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Munger, MI. on July 6th, 1935 the daughter of the late Nicholas and Ethel (Orosz) Pless. Betty has been a long time resident of Three Rivers. She enjoyed quilting and cross …

Rex Lane, age 94, of Three Rivers, and formerly of White Pigeon, died Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018, at Heartland Healthcare Center in Three Rivers. He was born March 15, 1923, in Bronson, one of seven children born to Earl and Nettie (Moon) Lane. There were five boys and two girls in the family. His father was hurt in a farming …

Bernard D. Carter, age 74, of Fish Lake, Sturgis, passed away Thursday, January 18, 2018 at his home. He was born in Three Rivers on January 25, 1943, a son of Chester and Marguerite (Hoyt) Carter. Bernard attended Schoolcraft and Centreville Schools. On June 1, 1962, he married Annabelle Keckler in Centreville; she preceded him in death on September 25, …

Cass County sheriff’s deputies are investigating a two-vehicle accident that occurred last week in Calvin Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 3 p.m. Thursday to the 17000 block of Chain Lake Street. Investigators said a 16-year old Cassopolis girl lost control of her car while driving eastbound and came upon a patch of ice. Her vehicle crossed …

Quorum Health Resources recently announced Three Rivers Health as a winner of the Excellence in Leadership awards. Three Rivers Health received the award for “Most Improved Performance” in the Under $100 million revenue category. Interim CEO David Shannon said TR Health has increased its operating margin by refocusing its efforts to more efficiently manage labor and supply costs. Meanwhile, QHR …

Constantine Middle School Prinicpal Ray Bohm said the school recently purchased a set of Chromebooks thanks to a grant from Pioneer Giving. Bohm, who applied for the grant earlier this year, said the 18 Chromebooks will increase student achievements, provide the ability to access curriculum independently and assist students to work collaboratively with teachers on assignments and projects. School counselor Steffany …

An elderly man and his daughter had sought help to get their furnace fixed days before their bodies were found inside a cold southwestern Michigan home The South Bend Tribune in Indiana reports 81-year-old Albert Bivins and 55-year-old Patricia Bivins had visited the Ferry Street Resource Center in Niles, to get help with their furnace after it stopped working. Director …