In observance of the National HIV Testing Day, The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency encourages you to get tested for HIV. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) the condition caused by the HIV virus if left untreated. This year National HIV Testing Day will take place on Tuesday June 27th, 2017. Why should …

Mr. Curtis Lee Martin, age 68, of Three Rivers, passed away on Saturday, May 27th, 2017 at the Bronson Methodist Hospital following a brief illness. He was born on August 25th, 1948 in Magnolia, Mississippi the son of the late Leslie Martin Sr. and Mrs. Nercille (Mixon) Martin. Mr. Martin served his country honorably in the U.S. Army and later married …

Harriet L. VanPelt, age 93, of Colon, passed away Tuesday, May 30, 2017, at Skaggs Assisted Living in Burr Oak. She was born May 1, 1924, in Bronson, a daughter of the late Harry and Flossie (Crapo) Prestidge. Harriet had resided in Colon since 1985. Prior to moving to Colon, she lived in Bronson, Sturgis and Fort Wayne, Ind. On …

An 82-year-old Mendon Township man was the victim of a home invasion and armed robbery over the weekend. State police said the incident occurred at 7 p.m. Sunday in the 23000 block of Michigan Avenue, where two men asked the victim if they could use his telephone. The man declined and closed the door. The suspects managed to force their …

Six area lakes will be the focus of the 2017 “Discover the Treasures of St. Joseph County” event. Sponsored by the Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce, this year’s Treasures is a lake-and-home tour that will center on Clear, Corey, Long and Pleasant lakes in Fabius Township, Fishers Lake in Park Township, and Lake Templene in Nottawa and Sherman townships. …

Sheriff’s department deputies are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident at a Lockport Township business. According to a department media release, the offense occurred between Tuesday and Friday last week in the 16000 block of Lovers Lane. Access was gained through forced entry and once inside, the suspects rummaged through cabinets and desk drawers, according to authorities.

A 42-year-old Constantine man was injured after being thrown from his moped over the weekend in Constantine Township. According to a sheriff’s department media release, the man was driving east on Stears Road around 9:30 p.m. Saturday when he attempted to turn around in the roadway and was unable to apply the brake. The moped overturned and the man was …

The Exchange Club of Sturgis held its 33rd annual youth awards program earlier this month at Sturges-Young Auditorium. Among those honored was Sturgis High School senior Sara Trine, who was named Exchange Club’s “Student of the Year.” She read from an essay she wrote about the topic of community service. Exchange Club of Sturgis also presented the 2017 Young Citizenship …

Larry Ray Aldrich, 56, of Saranac, and formerly of Constantine, died April 15, 2017, in Ionia County, from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. He was born Feb. 1, 1961, in Sturgis, a son of Donald R. and Irene E. (Sheets) Aldrich. A graduate of Constantine High School in 1979, he played tackle on the football team and was on …

Dr. Robert Douglas Ash, Sr. PhD, age 97, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 29, 2017. Robert was born November 24, 1919 on the Sixth Avenue family farm, the only son of Orin R. and Erta Zella (Catell) Ash. Robert helped his father run the family car business of “Orin R Ash and Son Oldsmobile”, which was …