An agency that helps seniors and low-income St. Joseph County residents with overdue gas bills could have nearly $40,000 in its coffers thanks to an annual fundraiser last weekend. The 32nd “Walk For Warmth” event took place Saturday in Three Rivers. Event organizers said more than $13,000 was raised by participants and other donors. Thirty-year volunteer Rick Shaffer said additional …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the theft of a vehicle earlier this week in Mendon Township. Deputies were called shortly after 8 a.m. Monday to the 26000 block of M-60 in regards to the theft of a black, 1995 Ford F-150 pickup. Its license plate identification is DLA4333.

I can’t remember a February when the weather has been this pleasant, or perhaps I should say weird. We’ve had temperatures in the fifties and sixties, along with temperatures in the twenties and thirties. There have been times when we’ve had nicer weather than those Michiganders who have flown south for the winter. Back in the day, December, January, and …

The designation of a stretch of East Main Street in Centreville has been changed to all-season, a move that will benefit the village’s business park and adjacent commercial operations. The announcement was made by Michigan Department of Transportation operations engineer Alissa Hubbell during Monday’s Centreville Downtown Development Authority meeting. Hubbell further announced that a similar designation upgrade was made for …

State police are investigating the theft of a four-wheeler earlier this week from a location in Mottville Township. Troopers were called at 4 p.m. Sunday to the 69000 block of Blue School Road in response to the breaking-and-entering of a barn. Upon arrival, troopers were told the incident occurred between Feb. 18 and Sunday morning. The victim told authorities the …

Three Rivers High School director of bands Bryan VanToll is appealing to the public in hopes of securing enough funding to purchase new uniforms for the school’s marching band. VanToll said a new design has been considered as part of a plan to replace 12-year-old uniforms. The cost is about $45,000 for 120 uniforms. He said an increase in band …

Kathryn A. Sadewasser, age 80, of Centreville, passed away on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at Sturgis Hospital. She was born on December 31, 1936 in LaMonte, MO, a daughter of Kenneth and Clara (Hughes) Vickrey. She graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1954. On July 7, 1957, she married Richard Sadewasser in Three Rivers. He preceded her in death …

Judith “Judi” Elaine Happel, age 74, a lifelong Sturgis, resident passed away Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, at the Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, Mich. She was born June 27, 1942 in Sturgis and graduated from Sturgis High School with the class of 1961. On Jan. 20, 1962, at the First Presbyterian Church in Sturgis, she married Lee G. Happel. Judith …

Karen Ann Malesh, age 62, of Colon, passed away Friday, Feb. 24, 2017, unexpectedly at her home. Karen was born April 20, 1954, in Chicago, a daughter to Arnold L. and Ann Marie (Barbic) Malesh. Karen had attended high school and college in Illinois where she received her Register Nursing certification. She had worked as an RN in Illinois, Battle …

Fruit experts in Michigan say they’re concerned about the state’s fruit trees and bushes getting their buds out too early due to the unusually warm weather. Michigan State University Extension Service fruit educator Mark Longstroth tells MLive the warm temperatures will be “a little worrisome,” if they continue and the buds start waking up in the region’s peach trees and …