A weight-room expansion at the Doyle Community Center is another step closer to reality. Community center officials and other local dignitaries recently took part in a ground-breaking ceremony for the new “Iron Mill” weight room. Doyle director Mike Liston addressed the gathering, saying that over the past few years, staff members have been working to upgrade the fitness aspect of …

For those of us here in St. Joseph County, March came in like a lion and went out as a lion. So much for sayings of old. However, I’m sure there are a few farmers out there who feel that we didn’t get enough rain. Now I’m wondering what the April showers will be like. This month I start my …

Three Rivers Police last week were involved in the apprehension of an Indiana man on drug- and alcohol-related charges. Officers fielded a call around 7:30 p.m. Thursday regarding a potentially intoxicated motorist driving south on U.S. 131 near Hoffman Road. A deputy with the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department spotted the vehicle in the Admiral gas station parking lot. Upon …

Cass County Sheriff’s Department deputies arrested a woman for driving while intoxicated over the weekend at a campground in Newburg Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly before 7 p.m. Saturday to a campground in the 12000 block of Prang Street regarding a single-vehicle crash. Deputies were advised that the driver got into an argument with witnesses, and …

Authorities say a western Michigan toddler has been struck and killed by a truck driven by his grandfather. The Allegan County Sheriff’s Office says 17-month-old Brentyn Allen Combs-Easterday could not be revived after being struck Saturday night at his grandparents’ home outside Allegan. Officers say the boy was being supervised by his grandparents while his mother was at work. His …

Clarence Willis “Willy” Birch, age 94 of Leonidas, died on Monday, April 3, 2017 at Medi-Lodge of Portage. He was born in Leonidas on Dec. 20, 1922,  the son of Karl and Ethel (Taylor) Birch and was a lifetime resident of Leonidas. He graduated from Mendon High School with the class of 1941. He served in the U.S. Army Air …

Ivan F. Hamm, age 90, Centreville, passed away on Friday, March 31, 2017 at Millers Merry Manor, LaGrange. He was born May 22, 1926 in Custer, MI, a son of Joseph and Mabel (Frantz) Hamm. Ivan graduated from Centreville High School with the class of 1944. In his early years, he farmed and later became a perfectionist carpenter. Ivan managed …

James J. Carlton, age 88, of Paw Paw, formerly of Marcellus, passed away peacefully on  Saturday, April 1, 2017 surrounded by his family. He was born December 19, 1928 in Galesburg, MI the son of Wayne Lyle and Gertrude Floris (Trisket) Carlton. On January 1, 1950 in Three Rivers, he married Anita Ann Davis who survives. James was a loving …

Jerry A. Mitchell, age 55, of Vandalia, passed away on Saturday, April 1, 2017 in St. Joseph, MI at Lakeland Medical Center who wonderfully served Jerry and his family. He was born January 29, 1962 in Fairbury, IL the son of Ivan (Ike) E. and Fannie C. (Avery) Mitchell. Jerry enjoyed spending time with friends. Surviving is his mother, Fannie Mitchell …

Mendon High School senior Mary Leighton recently was named one the 32 Michigan High School Athletic Association Scholar Athletes. She was honored as a recipient of the MHSAA’s Scholar-Athlete Award at the 2017 boys basketball finals at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing March 25. Leighton, one of only four Class D recipients, will receive a $1,000 …