Indiana State Police are investigating three separate fires they believe were intentionally set in rural northeastern Indiana. Detective David Poe said in a Monday news release that all three fires are “suspicious in nature” and likely set intentionally. The fires were set on a property in rural Howe in LaGrange County. A barn burned down on Feb. 17 and authorities …

Mr. Lawrence “Larry” Russell Matson Jr., age 72, of Three Rivers, passed away suddenly on Monday, November 28, 2016 at his home. He was born in Coldwater, on March 10, 1944 the son of Lawrence Sr. and Ilene (Carpenter) Matson. Larry and his wife Nancy moved to Three Rivers around 1982. Larry and was a skilled and avid musician, who …

Lyman M. Groth, age 81, of Mendon, died Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016 at Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation Community where he had resided the past five years. He was born in Leonidas, on Dec. 5, 1934 the son of the late Ernest and Laura Irene (Stuck) Groth, and was a lifetime resident of the area. He graduated from Colon High School …

Three Rivers Community Schools Board of Education members last week rated the district’s superintendent “effective” as part of her annual evaluation. Jean Logan, in her third year as head of the 2,600-student district, was given the rating on a four-step scale ranging from ineffective to highly effective. Board president Pete Bennett said the rating process used by the board took …

Several farm animals were killed and injured following a two-vehicle crash last week in Fabius Township. St. Joseph County Sheriff’s deputies said the collision occurred at 2 p.m. Friday at the south junction of M-60 and U.S. 131. A semi-truck hauling 180 pigs was southbound on U.S. 131 and collided with an eastbound vehicle that pulled in front of the …

A 36-year-old Sturgis man was charged with drug-related offenses after he was found passed out in a vehicle last week in Mendon Township. State police were called shortly after 8 p.m. Tuesday to the area of M-60 and Silver Street in response to a report of a suspicious vehicle parked in a cornfield. Upon arrival, troopers observed the man unresponsive …

The Kalamazoo Wings (6-10-0-2) did not have much to be thankful for over the Thanksgiving holiday. After falling to the Indy Ice on Wednesday by a score of 5-3, the K-Wings fell to Fort Wayne by a score of 6-1 on Thursday. Completing their five-game road trip, the K-Wings returned home on Friday to host the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. The …

Clinton Charles Carpenter, age 35, of Mendon, died Friday, Nov. 25, 2016 at his home following a lifetime of physical challenges. He was born in Sturgis, on Sep. 29, 1982 the son of Dale S. and Sheri (True) Carpenter. Amidst his many surgeries he was tutored by the Pathfinder Center in the family home. Clinton loved trips to binder Park …

A township official from Cass County who faced conflict of interest allegations has resigned from a local board. The South Bend Tribune reports Frank LaPierre recently resigned as chairman of Ontwa Township’s wastewater board. Edwardsburg businessman Robert J. Donnelly had publicly criticized LaPierre for being board chairman while working for an engineering firm the township contracts with for consulting and …

Ilah Bird Essex, age 99, died peacefully in her sleep Thanksgiving evening, November 24, 2016. A near lifetime resident of Marcellus, she was a hair dresser, a bus driver and a farmer. She was preceded in death by Ewart Essex, her husband of fifty years. She is survived by her children, Mary (Bill) Jaglowski, Nancy (Cheryl) Essex, and Carmi (Sarah) …