Members from two area fire departments made Christmas brighter for some Three Rivers and area families last week. Personnel from Three Rivers and Fabius-Park departments Friday delivered gifts to families in the annual “Firefighters for Santa.” Beginning at 3 p.m., firefighters, with the help of Santa, delivered the presents in one- hour blocks. In addition, each of the 90 families …

St. Joseph County Animal Control recently received a new piece of agility equipment. The piece is a ring jump and was provided thanks to the Centreville Courageous K-9s 4- H Club. The ring jump is adjustable, and can be used for small and large dogs. St. Joseph County Animal Control supervisor Greg Musser thanked the club for its generosity and …

A Marcellus man died in a house fire over the holiday weekend. Marcellus firefighters were dispatched to a home on Woodland Street early Sunday afternoon where they found 63-year-old Gordon Booz deceased inside the house. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Gordon Bradley Booz, age 63, of Marcellus, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, December 25, 2016. He was born July 1, 1953, the son of Gordon and Curlene Booz. He served in the U.S. Army. Brad received his Associates Degree from Southwest Michigan College and then went on to become the Assistant Store Director for Meijers in Three Rivers. He was …

The November unemployment rate in St. Joseph County remained unchanged compared to a month earlier. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 3.9 percent November unemployment rate was equal to October’s figure. November’s unemployment rate was seven-tenths of a percent higher than the same month one year earlier, when the …

Cass County sheriff’s officials have submitted to the prosecutor’s office information regarding a man allegedly impersonating a police officer. The agency last week received a tip from a Jones resident aware of a neighbor on Born Street who matched the description of a subject and his vehicle mentioned in a department press release. A deputy responded to the address and …

A former Three Rivers pastor was sentenced last week on charges related to a case of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. James Bailey was sentenced Thursday by Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman to nine months in jail and five years of probation. The 66-year-old’s sentence stems from incidents on two dates early this year at Three Rivers Bible Church. Police said …

Members of the White Pigeon Fire Department continued a long-standing tradition last week. The agency has collected food and non-perishable items for local families and arranged a visit from Santa. Their efforts this year benefitted 60 local families. The collection of items was done over the course of several Saturdays, when firefighters could be found outside Wagoner’s market collecting items. …

Keith Thomas Garrison, age 72, of Kalamazoo, formerly of Three Rivers, passed away suddenly at his residence on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016. He was born in Three Rivers, on February 27, 1944 the son of the late Norman and Bette (Eddy) Garrison. Keith graduated from Three Rivers High School with the class of 1962. He later graduated from Western Michigan …

Russell David Slusher, age 47, of Constantine, passed away on Friday, December 23, 2016 in LaGrange, IN. He was born on April 27, 1969 in Sturgis, a son of Gilbert and Dorothy (Winkleman) Slusher. Russell attended school in North Bloomfield, Ohio and graduated from White Pigeon High School in 1986. He enjoyed Harley Davidson motorcycles and spending time with his …