Bert C. Shirk Sr., age 55, of Three Rivers, died on Saturday, December 23, 2017 at his home. He was born January 26, 1962 in Three Rivers, a son of Orville and Irene (Palmer) Shirk Sr.  Bert served in the Michigan Army National Guard, SPT Co 1 BN 246 Armor, Three Rivers, as 19D10 Scout from Nov. 1979 to 1985. …

Police have released the handwritten note and map that led investigators to the body of a missing teacher in October. Christopher Lockhart expressed regret for killing his wife, Theresa Lockhart, and wrote, “I pray that God forgives me.” He wrote the note on Oct. 23 before killing himself at their Portage home. Police the next day found his body and …

Authorities say a 43-year-old Michigan man has died after he fell through the ice while fishing on an Indiana river. Indiana Conservation Officers responded to a 911 call Friday afternoon from someone at a park along the St. Joseph River in South Bend. The caller said they saw a man fall through the ice and disappear. St. Joseph County Police …

James “Jim” Lemuel Bippus of Three Rivers, age 85, passed away in his home surrounded by family on Wednesday, December 20, 2017. Jim had recently been admitted to Borgess Hospital due to complications related to kidney dialysis. When treatments became unsuccessful he determined he would leave this world on his own terms and in his own way. He was an …

Tyler Tazmeine Wirtz, age 17, of Bronson, passed away tragically Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, due to an automobile accident in Lawton. A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017, at Pleasant Hill Missionary Church in Bronson, with Pastor Archie Lhamon of Unity Missionary Baptist Church officiating. Interment will follow at Adams Cemetery. Visitation will take …

Judy Anne Reinoehl, age 70, passed away Monday, Dec. 18, with her family by her side, following a brief illness. Judy was born June 14, 1947, in Goshen, to Donald and Helen Higgins. She was a 1965 graduate of White Pigeon High School and a 1967 graduate of Western Michigan University. Judy worked as a secretary, wife, mother, grandmother and …

Members of the St. Joseph County Road Commission discussed the future of the Langley Covered Bridge during their monthly meeting Wednesday. Considering the bridge’s continued maintenance requirements and general repair needs, board members have discussed the possibility of turning it into a pedestrian bridge and putting another bridge alongside it. Three Rivers resident Anna Smith said a new bridge would …

A proposed village medical marijuana ordinance was discussed briefly at Monday’s Constantine Village Council meeting. The discussion relates to the council’s special meeting Dec. 12, when council members considered whether to adopt the ordinance. Initially it passed, 5-2, but after further discussion was rescinded, also by a 5-2 vote. Council members decided it would be easier to start with a …

The Youth Advisory Council of the Sturgis Area Community Foundation awarded its 2017 Fall Cycle YAC grants aimed at funding youth-serving projects in the Sturgis area. This year’s YAC grant recipients include The Children’s Trauma Assessment Group, receiving $12,500 to continue providing support and resources for children who have experienced trauma. Other recipients were Student Help and Healing Center, receiving $ …

Montana authorities say a man interviewed in connection to children’s bones found in a shed in September was not arrested and is no longer a focus of the investigation. KECI-TV reported Wednesday that Missoula investigators are turning their attention toward other people who are tied to the property where the bones were found. Authorities say a box containing bones and …