A veteran firefighter was named Centreville’s new fire chief Monday. Chris Loker, a 20-year firefighter, will take over the department following the retirement of 13-year chief Ed Rangler last month. Loker began working at Centreville Fire Department in 2008, serving three years as lieutenant and three with Centreville Rescue. Previously, he spent 10 years on the Marcellus Fire Department, serving as lieutenant …

Donna O. McDonald, age 69, of Sturgis, passed away on Monday, August 21, 2017 at Thurston Woods Village. She was born on October 8, 1947 in Roscoe, TX, a daughter of Edward and Violet (Samples) Barfield. On June 30, 1966, she married Tommy McDonald in Snyder, TX. He preceded her in death on July 20, 2014. Donna worked as a bank …

Three Rivers Community Schools is seeking applications for a vacant position on the board of education. The seat will expire Dec. 31, 2018. Prospective applicants should submit a letter of interest and qualifications by noon Sept. 1. Potential candidates may drop off their information to the superintendent’s office at 851 Sixth Ave. The district’s board of education will conduct interviews …

A White Pigeon man was injured after the motorcycle he was driving was struck from behind earlier this week in Cass County’s Mason Township. Sheriff Richard Benhke said deputies were called at 6:25 a.m. Monday to M-217 near Wayne Street. Investigation said a motorcycle driven by 32-year-old Cody Walters was rear-ended by a pickup driven by Stone Taylor, 21, of …

St. Joseph County road commissioners last week approved the purchase of two new Peterbilt asphalt distributors, according to agency manager Chris Minger. Minger said the road commission’s garage workers will be able to convert the vehicles into trucks to be used for snowplowing. Cost for the two trucks, two tar tanks, underbody scrapers, wing plows and underbody hydraulics is about $638,000. …

The first of St. Joseph County’s nine school districts returned to school Tuesday, while four others will begin classes Monday. Burr Oak Community Schools started its academic year Tuesday to stay consistent with the calendar followed by the Branch Area Careers Center. Meanwhile, students in Colon, Constantine, Mendon and White Pigeon will head back to classrooms Monday next week. The …

Judith L. Rasmussen, age 69, of Cassopolis, passed away Monday, August 21, 2017 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born November 8, 1947 in Mishawaka, the daughter of Arthur and Euretha (Troupe) Gillam. On October 22, 1988 in Volinia Township she married Harry R. Rasmussen III and he survives. Judith graduated from Mishawaka High School with the Class …

Scott Allen Trennepohl, age 47, of Burr Oak, passed away Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, at Sturgis Hospital. He was born June 23, 1970, in Sturgis, a son of Myron and Janet (Groff) Trennepohl. Scott was paraplegic, due to an accident in his late teens. He was an avid fan of both NASCAR and dirt track racing. He is survived by …

A final reflection on our week of camping. There was a time when sleeping in a tent was real camping. Some still consider it the only way to go. Two days before we broke camp, a family settled in next to our site. I was amazed at how much they enjoyed setting up their site. They had a family-sized tent …

Edward O. Gooding, 68, of Marcellus/Mattawan, passed away on Sunday, August 20, 2017 at his home after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Ed was the son of William R. and Ruth E. Gooding. He was a life-long resident of the Marcellus area and graduated from Marcellus High School in 1966. After working at Checker Motors Corporation, Ed joined …