Lewis Junior Shears, 86, Centreville, passed away Sunday, December 18, 2016 at his home. He was born in Fawn River, on July 21, 1930, a son of Lewis Ray and Sylvia Amanda (Fish) Shears. He attended Centreville Schools. Junior served in the U.S. Army from 1951-1953 during the Korean War. On January 15, 1954, he married Margaret Young in Centreville. …

A Sturgis man was treated for burns and smoke inhalation following a residential fire over the weekend. Sturgis Fire and Rescue units were called at 9 a.m. Saturday to the 200 block of Surprise Street, where a single-family residence was ablaze. An elderly man, identified as the homeowner, was found unconscious inside the residence. He was transported to Sturgis Hospital …

For the tenth consecutive year, members of the Three Rivers Fire Department and Fabius-Park Fire Department will bring holiday spirit and joy to the community with the “Firefighters For Santa” program. Firefighters will be delivering gifts from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday. The program – funded through donations from local businesses including Meijer, Armstrong International, Three Rivers Schools and numerous …

A 23-year-old White Pigeon man was arrested after authorities said he fled from police late Thursday. Justin Criddle was held on two warrants, failure to appear and violation of conditional release. Just before 11 p.m. Thursday, White Pigeon officers attempted to stop a vehicle Criddle was driving for a traffic violation. He stopped the car, then exited and ran from …

Members of Refurbished Pets of Southern Michigan recently received $50,000 from Petco Foundation. Founded in 2007, Refurbished Pets has made an effort to aid in the reduction of euthanasia rates at animal shelters. The group’s correctional companion program began in 2008 in a partnership with the Coldwater prison complex and endeavors to find homes for dogs in shelters that would …

Roseann Weidman, age 97, of Three Rivers passed away on Thursday, December 15, 2016 surrounded by her family at Heartland Healthcare Center. She was born in Three Rivers, on November 10, 1919 the daughter of Monte and Mary (Blum) Kennedy. She was a resident of Three Rivers her entire life and attended Three Rivers Schools graduating with the class of …

John W. Kinsey, 86, of Constantine, died on Wednesday, December 14, 2016, at Bronson Methodist Hospital. He was born July 12, 1930 a son of Harold and Lucille (Lentz). He graduated from Monticello High School, Indiana and DePauw University receiving a business degree. John served in the US Navy for 2 years. He retired from Bendix Corp. in South Bend …

Another of America’s Greatest Generation has passed on. Bruce Dexter McKercher went to join his wife of 67 years, Carol, on Nov. 6, 2016. Bruce leaves behind a son, Brian (Debra) McKercherk of Richmond, Va;. and a daughter, Debra (Robert) Long of Colon. He will be sorely missed by his grandchildren, Ashley (Jeremy) Meyers, Andrew (Stephanie) Long, Ensign Patrick McKercher, …

Sturgis Hospital and Three Rivers Health this week announced the formation of St. Joseph County Health Network. The network is intended to ensure St. Joseph County hospitals have the kind of financial stability a larger system would have, without sacrificing local delivery of care or understanding of needs and concerns of the county, according to hospital administrators. The board of …

State police are investigating the break-in of summer cottages at a lake in Branch County’s Ovid Township. According to a department media release, troopers were called around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday to Longview Drive on East Long Lake. Several residences were entered and items taken included tools, electronics and alcohol. Neighbors told authorities they saw a white van in the area …