I recently had the privilege to attend a presentation by Deb Davis from Paws with a Cause (PAWS), an organization located in Wayland, Michigan. This organization breeds, raises, custom-trains, and places service dogs with people with a variety of disabilities. These assistance dogs include: Service Dogs: Used by people with a physical disability, debilitating chronic illness or neurological disorder. Hearing …

Marilyn Jean Fraizer, 71, of Three Rivers passed away on Sunday, April 30th, 2017 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was born a triplet along with her brother William and sister Linda of February 28th, 1946 to Delbert and Edythe (Rice) Cooley. She grew up most of her life in Warren, Ohio where she attended school until …

Mary Anna Borntreger, age 82, of Centreville, died on Sunday, April 30, 2017 at Heartland Nursing Home, Three Rivers. She was born October 19, 1934 in Arthur, IL a daughter of Jacob and Lizzie ( Yoder) Plank. On October 19, 1954 she married Joseph Borntreger in Arthur, IL. Mary Anna was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother who cherished …

Benjamin Alan Wagner, 64, died on Thursday, April 27, 2017, at his home in Mendon, following a brief illness. He was born May 26, 1952, in Sturgis, the first child of Richard and Barbara (Rissman) Wagner. Ben graduated from Sturgis High School in 1970. He worked primarily as a golf course groundskeeper. He is survived by a daughter, Amanda (Dane) …

March’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County was seven-tenths of a percent lower than one month previous. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed the county’s 3.5 percent March unemployment rate marked a decrease from February’s 4.2 percent. St. Joseph County remained below the state unemployment average, which was 4.8 percent in March. …

Glen Oaks Community College has announced the promotion of Morgan Balcom to head women’s basketball coach. Balcom takes the reins after Michael Mosley stepped down from the position in early February. Balcom has fielded the head-coaching responsibilities in an interim role since that time. “Morgan has done an exceptional job since being put in a tough position in February,” according …

State police investigators are looking into the breaking-and-entering of a residence around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday last week in the 58000 block of Covered Bridge Road. The suspects are believed to have gained access to a garage and shed by going through the back yard of the residence. Multiple totes full of items were reported stolen as well as a bench …

The St. Joseph County Grange Fair is beginning a program to replace its decades-old trees with new ones starting this year. Fair manager Bill Johnson said a common scene in photographs of the St. Joseph County Grange Fairgrounds from its earliest years to current times is the numerous trees that surround the property. These same trees are now being replaced …

Eileen L. Mostrom, 99, of rural Sturgis, went to be with her Lord on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at her home on Big Fish Lake. She was born in Chicago on November 10, 1917, a daughter of Joseph and Minnie (Brown) Manny. She graduated from Lindblom High School, Chicago, in 1935. On September 26, 1936, she married Eric Mostrom in …

Therman L. “Stub” Cossairt, age 85, of Colon, passed away, Friday, April 28, 2017, at his home. Stub was born Feb. 1, 1932, in Colon, a son of the late Therman L. and Pauline (Bargo) Cossairt Sr. Stub had served in the U.S. Army with the 24th Infantry during the Korean War. On Nov. 22, 1952, he married Dorothy A. …