A new chief financial officer was named during last week’s Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of St. Joseph County board meeting. Board members extended the offer to Jill Brindley, who came highly recommended by board member Rick Shaffer. Shaffer, however, abstained from the vote when Brindley was appointed. Brindley assumes the part-time position from outgoing finance director Randy …

Roadsides across lower Michigan will get their first cleanup of the year beginning Saturday as the 2017 Adopt-A-Highway program gets underway. Overseen by the Michigan Department of Transportation, Adopt-A-Highway will take place over three collection periods this year. The first runs Saturday through April 23. A summer pickup takes place July 15 to 23 and a fall pickup Sept. 23 …

The Secretary of State office in Portage is offering the innovative MI-TIME Line service that allows customers to use their phones or computers to make appointments or hold their place in line, Secretary of State Ruth Johnson announced. The MI-TIME Line sends text updates to notify customers of their estimated wait time and allows them to request more time if …

The Wolverine Conference started the 2017 season with a jamboree at Angels Crossing Golf Club, hosted by Vicksburg Tuesday. On a cold and windy afternoon the Three Rivers golf team finished in 6th place with a score of 192. The overall standings looked like this: Otsego 168 Edwardsburg 178 Plainwell 179 Allegan 184 Vicksburg 185 Three Rivers 192 Paw Paw …

Helen J. Avery, age 90, of Colon, passed away Monday, April 10, 2017, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. Helen was born Oct.11, 1926, in Sherman Township, a daughter of the late Albert and Helen (Taylor) Sadewasser. She grew up in Sturgis, graduating from Sturgis High School in 1943. On Aug. 2, 1947, she married Donald E. Avery of Centreville. …

Norman D. VanPelt, age 89, of Sturgis, passed away Monday morning, April 10, 2017, at his home. He was born Feb. 14, 1928, in Fawn River, a son of the late Crate and Viola (Knight) VanPelt. Norman was a lifelong Sturgis-area resident. On Feb. 15, 1947, he married Betty Jean Jourdan in Angola, Ind. She died Feb. 9, 2014. Norm …

Harvey Robert Schlabach, age 73, of Burr Oak, passed away early Monday morning, April 10, 2017, at his home, surrounded by his family. He was born Dec 28, 1943, in Litchfield, a son of the late Joas and Barbara (Schwartz) Schlabach. He worked at Burr Oak Tool and Gauge and retired from Jayco in 2007. He loved to spend time …

Jody Clipfell, age 53, of Colon, passed away Sunday, April 9, 2017, from injuries received in a car-pedestrian accident in Colon Township. Jody was born March 19, 1964, in Sturgis, a daughter of Philip G. and Louise (Drumhiller) Clipfell. Jody had made her home in Colon all her life and was presently employed at Palomino RV in Colon. She enjoyed …

Carolyn Faye (Llewellyn) Babcock, age 82, of Three Rivers, passed away in her sleep on Sunday, April 9, 2017, after a short but hard fight with cancer. She was born the daughter of the late Roy and Ardath (Dinsmore) Llewellyn. On Feb. 14, 1956, she married Lloyd Babcock Jr. He preceded her in death. Carolyn had worked and retired from …

Donald Earl “Donny” McClain, age 90, of Mendon, died Monday, April 10, 2017 at Heartland Healthcare Center in Three Rivers. He was born in Mendon on May 31, 1926 the son of Robert J. and Martha L. (Rench) McClain and has been a lifetime resident of Mendon. Donnie attended the Michigan School for the Deaf in Flint in his younger …