Karen S. Chaffee, 75, of Livingston, Mont., and formerly of White Pigeon, died Sunday, July 16, 2017, in Billings, Mont., following an extended illness. She was born Aug. 22, 1941, in Elkhart, a daughter of Robert and Ruth (Signs) Chaffee. She had been a resident of Montana since 2012, coming from White Pigeon, where she lived for 36 years. She …

A 16-year-old Three Rivers youth drowned in the St. Joseph River Wednesday afternoon. The victim was identified as Marco Chapman. Authorities were called to the area of Thomas and King Streets around 1:30pm. Chapman reportedly attempted to swim across the St. Joseph River with friends, and the current swept him under, according to witnesses. Chapman’s body was recovered following a …

A Centreville teacher charged with criminal-sexual conduct reached a plea agreement with prosecutors Wednesday. Court officials said 48-year-old Florence Township resident Terry Miller reached an agreement that saw him plea no contest to one count of attempted fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. The case was heard before St. Joseph County 45th Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman. According to terms of the …

Several residents from Mendon and Nottawa townships Tuesday urged St. Joseph County commissioners to try to thwart development of a proposed solar farm. The proposed project centers on a Minnesota-based company called Geronimo Energy Ltd. Opponents of the project said the company has quietly over the past few years been buying land in an area south of the village of …

An Illinois man was injured this week following a diving accident at Diamond Lake. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly after 1:30 p.m. Tuesday to a location in Calvin Township. Upon arrival, deputies learned 26-year-old Richard Younglove was at a family gathering and hit his head on the bottom of the lake after diving into the water. A …

Sharon “Shari” L. Closson, 67, passed away peacefully Tuesday, July 18, 2017, surrounded by her family. Born in Sturgis, Shari completed her bachelor of science degree in nursing from Ball State University. She worked as a registered nurse with Parkview Randallia for 38 years. Surviving are her husband of 45 years, Joseph Closson of Kimmell, Ind.; her mother, Mary Ann …

I am Georgie. I am an older, male, Lab/Collie mix. I like kids but NOT cats! I am housebroken. Please come in to see me and give me a new loving home. My docket number is BIO17-000223, at the St. Joseph County Animal Control Shelter located at 652 E. Main St., Centreville, MI. Animal Control is open Monday – Friday, …

Colon Community Schools Board of Education this week agreed to proceed with a search for a new superintendent despite the relatively late start. The district has posted the job and set a July 31 deadline for applications. During Monday’s meeting, the board agreed to narrow the final field of applicants to a manageable number – likely no more than five …

Sturgis Police K-9 Tucky was involved in apprehending a man who was wanted on outstanding warrants. According to the Sturgis Police Department, officers were called around 1 a.m. Tuesday to the 300 block of North Nottawa Street in response to an assault and a man brandishing a firearm. Officers were given a description of the man and shortly thereafter, encountered …

Magic season returns to Colon beginning today. Though Abbott’s Magic Get-Together doesn’t start for a few more weeks, FAB Magic in downtown Colon is staging its two-day Magic Camp starting today. FAB Magic owner Rick Fisher said 100 people have signed up for the third annual event. The larger-than-expected response has forced him to move the event to Colon United …