St. Joseph County Commission on Aging’s advisory board has agreed to name the new Three Rivers senior center/ housing project. It also voted to rename the Sturgis Enrichment Center. During last week’s COA meeting, the board chose “Rivers Enrichment Center and Residence” as the name for the new Three Rivers site. Meanwhile, “Oaks Enrichment Center” is the new name for …

A northern Indiana police officer who shot and critically wounded a man reportedly opened fire after the man hit and scratched his face. Police records identify the South Bend officer as Samuel Chaput and the wounded man as 27-year-old Terrance Eppenger of South Bend. The St. Joseph County Metro Homicide Unit says officers were called to the scene Tuesday evening …

Jacob B. “Chaplain Jake” Schwartz, age 76, Sturgis, died Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka. He was born February 1, 1942 in Berne, Indiana, a son of Simon and Mary (Yoder) Schwartz. Jake attended school in Wasepi. On December 22, 1963 he married Martha Borkholder at Locust Grove Mennonite Church.  She was the love …

Ronald L. Knauss, age 57, of Bristol, passed away Sunday, March 25, 2018 after a boating accident. Ron was born on April 1, 1960 in Flint, a son of Gerald and Caroline (Gibbs) Knauss. He attended Lambertville Public Schools and graduated from Constantine High School in 1978. In October of 1995, he married Kathy Wyman. She preceded him in death …

Elizabeth “Betty” Powell, age 85, Three Rivers, passed away Monay, March 26, 2018 at Bronson Methodist Hospital after sustaining injuries from an automobile accident. She was born June 20, 1932 in Napoleon, a daughter of Earl and Lydia (Fisher) Kirkbride. Betty attended Napoleon Public Schools, graduating in 1951. She went on to obtain her RN degree from Jackson Foote Hospital. …

Patricia Lou Salisbury, age 70, of Three Rivers, and formerly of Sturgis, passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her loving family and caring hospice staff Tuesday morning, March 27, 2018. She was born March 8, 1948, in Lansing, a daughter of the late Donald Walter and Vesta Lou (McCamis) Goodnoe. Patricia’s early life was lived in California. She …

Chester R. (Doc) Pyne, age 78, of White Pigeon, died Sunday, March 25, 2018, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. He was born Jan. 31, 1940, in Flint, a son of Manley and Francis (Verdier) Pyne. He was a graduate of LeRoy High School and served in the U.S. Army from 1958-1964 and moved to White Pigeon in 1988. He …

The commuter rail line that links northern Indiana and Chicago is planning a ticket price increase to help pay for operating a new train safety system. Officials say the proposed 5 percent increase would raise the one-way fare to Chicago from stations in Hammond east to Michigan City by 50 cents effective July 1. Fares for stops east of Michigan …

Eldon Dean Swartzentruber, age 52, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday, March 24, 2018, at his home. He was born Sept. 11, 1965, in Yellville, Ark., a son of David William and Janet (Hesher) Swartzentruber. Eldon resided in Sturgis since 1972, coming from Arkansas. He was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1983 and furthered his education …

Judith Dianne “Judy” Smith, age 82, of Three Rivers passed away on Monday, March 26, 2018 surrounded by her family.  She was born in Zurich, Montana on August 21, 1935 to John D. (Hazel) (Claridge) Pike and was later raised by Mr. Arthur Burns. Judy was a high school graduate in Chinook, MT in 1953. Judy was employed as a …