The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency wishes to remind the public that November is National Diabetes Month. Theresa Christner, health education and promotion director for the Coldwater-based agency, said one in 11 adults living in Branch, Hillsdale and St. Joseph counties has diabetes. That translates into nearly 8,000 people. Another 20,000 adults in the tri-counties are at-risk for developing Type …

John Paul Wise, age 59, of Sturgis, died Friday, Nov. 18, 2016 at his home following a brief illness. He was born in Sturgis on Sep. 22, 1957 the son of the late Olley Ray and Barbara Jeane (Johnson) Wise, Jr. He graduated from Charlotte High School in 1975 and moved to Mendon with his family later that year. John …

Two boys were burned, one seriously, in an incident Saturday morning on the north side of Three Rivers near Enterprise Drive. Details are sketchy regarding the incident, in which the boys were reportedly attempting to start a bonfire. It appears one of the boys may have thrown a gasoline can into the fire, which caused an explosion. One of the …

Kurt William Alan Austin, of Fulton passed away on Friday, November 18, 2016 at the age of 33. He is survived by his wife, Amanda; three sons: Skylar, Trevor, and Parker Austin; two stepchildren: Austin and Madison. He is also survived by his parents: Joe and Karen Austin, of Fulton; one sister: Kathy Austin and her daughter Isabella; and his …

Wilbur Cecil Ransbottom, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, November 17 at 10:30am.  Wilbur, age 88, had been a long time resident of Three Rivers, Michigan before becoming a resident of Sheridan, Wyoming in 2009. Born February 26, 1928, Wilbur was the only child of Ethel Mary (Nichols) and Cecil Sherman Ransbottom. …

Improved building ventilation, replacing domestic water piping and new interior doors appear to be the more-popular areas targeted by participants Wednesday during a community forum at White Pigeon High School. The district is planning to ask voters in May to renew a 3-mill sinking fund that originated in 2007 and was renewed in 2012. Wednesday’s forum was the second of …

A four-month detour on a major route that feeds into Centreville is scheduled to be lifted next week. Work crews are expected to finish the M-86 bridge replacement project over the Prairie River Wednesday, according to Nick Schirripa, MDOT spokesman. He said the open-to-traffic date comes after a delay of about two weeks from original projections. He said if history …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department’s Explorer Post 478 is selling 9-1-1 mailbox signs. The signs are 6 inches by 17 1/2 inches, with a green background and reflective three-inch numbers on both sides. Numbers may be placed vertically or horizontally. Signs cost $15.50 each, and proceeds are used by the post for uniforms and educational training. Signs can be …

St. Joseph County Probate Court and the Department of Health and Human Services will celebrate the 14th annual “Michigan Adoption Day” next week. An adoption ceremony will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Monday in Probate Courtroom B before Judge David Tomlinson. Michigan Adoption Day is staged annually around Thanksgiving with the theme, “Giving thanks for families.” The celebration …

Hi! My name is Missy and I am a female tabby cat, about 3 years old. If you look at the picture you will see I am sitting close to a dish of food. I’m very hungry because I have had kittens. I’ve been a very good mama and took care of my kittens and they have all been adopted. …