Officials with the Michigan State Lottery said a 23-year-old Three Rivers man last week cashed a winning scratch-off ticket to claim the $100,000 top prize. According to a media release from the Lansing-based agency, the winning $3 ticket was purchased at Paul’s Pantry on East Michigan Avenue. Zach Salmen told lottery officials he stopped at the store to grab a …

The 2017 Wiesloch Sister City Exchange between Sturgis and the German town was experienced earlier this month by 16 Sturgis High School students and their two teacher chaperones. The students participated in the longstanding exchange program between the two sister cities. Students left Sturgis June 19 and returned July 10. The exchange occurs annually and lasts three weeks. Their travels …

Shane Andrew Richardson, age 29, of Constantine, died Thursday, July 20, 2017. His life was tragically cut short and he died at Three Rivers Health emergency room of injuries from a gun shot. He was born Nov. 5, 1987, in Sturgis, a son to Ronald “Rollo” and Judy (Vargo) Richardson. Shane had been a resident of Sturgis all of his …

Janice E. Mihills, age 71, of Jones, MI passed away Friday, July 21, 2017. She was born December 16, 1945 in Dowagiac, MI the daughter of Harold Franklin and Lucille Cora (Rosby) Moon. On November 29, 1964 in Dowagiac, she married Norman Lee Mihills who preceded her in death. Janice retired from Woodland Behavior Healthcare Network in Vandalia and had …

Lawrence Jay Emerick, age 46, of Mount Dora, Fla., and a longtime former Sturgis resident, passed away unexpectedly Friday, July 7, 2017, at the Florida Hospital Waterman in Tavares, Fla. He was born May 30, 1971, in LaGrange, Ind., son of Victor Allen and Judy (Acker) Emerick. Larry resided in Florida for the past several years, going there from Sturgis …

Marco David Chapman, age 16, of Three Rivers, died Wednesday, July 19, 2017 while swimming with friends along the St. Joseph River. He was born in Three Rivers on Feb. 27, 2001 the son of Marco David Patton and Leesa O. Chapman, and was a lifetime resident of the Michiana area. Marco had just completed the 10th grade at Lakeland …

John Edward Thoendel, Sr., age 66, of Vandalia, died peacefully Friday, July 21, 2017 in the comfort of his family’s presence in his daughter’s residence. He was born July 24, 1950 in Cassopolis to Adolph and Martha Thoendel. His parents preceded him in death. He was also preceded by one daughter, Nykole Thoendel. John served honorably in the U.S. Army …

Floyd Alfred Astling, age 80, passed away Thursday, July 20, 2017, following a brief illness. He spent his remaining days in the care of Grace Healthcare in Three Rivers. Floyd was born Aug. 30, 1936, at the Constantine Hospital in Constantine. He was the son of the late Charles H. and Myrtle K. (Schutt) Astling. He was a well-known resident …

A suspect wanted for a pair of murders committed Thursday night is now in the custody of Indiana authorities. Zachary Patten turned himself in Friday morning to South Bend Police. Patten, a 32-year-old Portage resident, allegedly shot and killed a 31-year-old woman in a mobile home park in Kalamazoo around 9:30 p.m. Authorities said it appears the woman was not …

Nominations and appointments involving a total of 12 people were made by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners this week. Deb Davis, Joe Heivilin, Al Balog, Barb Fisher, Charles Thompson and Jim MacTavish were nominated to the Commission on Aging Board. Commissioners appointed Cathi Abbs and Kay Decker to the Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Board. Richard Anderson …