Ms. Donna Jean Voight, age 73, of Three Rivers, passed away suddenly on Sunday, July 30th, 2017 at Borgess Medical Center. She was born on August 29, 1943 in Three Rivers, the daughter of the late Glenn and Jeannette (Ward) Dentler. Donna has spent her whole life in the Three Rivers area. She loved to shop and spend time with …

I’ve never considered myself a party animal. I’m not a “teetotaler”, but I do believe that you don’t have to drink to have an enjoyable time. The consumption of alcohol is glorified on television more and more these days. I remember one commercial that showed a lady picking up necessary groceries in preparation for an upcoming storm. The last thing …

State police are investigating the theft of a four-wheel ATV from Mottville Township. According to a department media release, troopers were dispatched to the 71000 block of U.S. 131 at noon Saturday. The victim told authorities the vehicle was taken between 7 p.m. Friday and 5:45 a.m. Saturday from the front yard of the property. The ATV is a red …

Students wishing to attend Glen Oaks Community College in the fall have an opportunity to enhance their English and math skills prior to the start of the semester. The Summer Bridge program, designed to better prepare students for Accuplacer testing and subsequent college coursework, is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 8-10 and 15-17. Students will take the …

Registration for the use of golf carts in Constantine was delayed because stickers to validate registration were not received by July 6, the date the ordinance was to take effect. During last month’s village council meeting, village manager Mark Honeysett said the stickers were received July 10 and he has since issued four permits. The ordinance, which requires a $ …

I have received encouragement for this column almost daily from readers like yourselves. Many people have been following what is happening in downtown Three Rivers, and want to believe in a positive change. The revitalization work we are doing is important, and I believe someday soon, its results will exceed expectations. But, it’s easy for me to say that, and …

Diana L. Bergakker, age 71, of Constantine, passed away on Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Borgess-Pipp Hospital in Plainwell. She was born May 27, 1946 in Sturgis, a daughter of Harold and Ruth (Church) Preston, Sr.  Diana attended school in Constantine. On November 15, 1985 she married Matt D. Burgakker in Centreville. Diana retired from Crocker Ltd. in Three Rivers …

June’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County was one-tenth of a percent lower than the previous month. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed the county’s 3.8 percent June unemployment rate marked a decrease from May’s 3.9 percent. St. Joseph County was below the state unemployment average, which was 4 percent in June. …

Seven people were arrested in downtown Three Rivers on drug-related charges following an investigation by local and county drug officers last week. According to a sheriff’s department media release, investigators with the Three Rivers Police Department and the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit secured a warrant and at 2 a.m. Friday, entered a residence at 13 N. Main St. …

An outbreak of whooping cough has struck up to 30 people in St. Joseph County, largely in the Amish community. Val Newton, prevention services director for the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency, announced details of the outbreak last week. Because of recent gatherings for weddings and church meetings among the Amish community, Newton said she is concerned the cold-like disease could …