St. Joseph County Probate Court Judge David Tomlinson had the pleasure Monday of making official the adoption of six children to three different families as part of the 14th annual “Michigan Adoption Day.” Michigan Adoption Day is staged annually around Thanksgiving with the theme, “Giving thanks for families.” The celebration spotlights the joys of adoption and encourages more families to …

Three Rivers firefighters and rescue responded Saturday to an incident involving a gasoline can that exploded and injured a Three Rivers boy. Authorities were summoned around 10 a.m. to the area of Enterprise Drive and Lovers Lane, where the victim and a friend were attempting to ignite a fire with gasoline from a can. The can, however, exploded during the …

The sixth-grade class at Centreville Elementary School showed it learned from a “Character Counts” session on compassion. The group of 60 students Monday assembled seven boxes, each containing enough food for a full Thanksgiving dinner. The recipients, all Centreville families, picked up the donated boxes later in the day. The project was spearheaded by school counselor Diana Kamphues and involved …

After nearly 30 years, Robert Holmes Bell is retiring as a federal judge in western Michigan. Bell is stepping down in January. Technically, he’ll be on senior status and can help if needed, but he has many interests to keep him busy. The 72-year-old says he wants to leave the Grand Rapids bench “with the sails up and flying.” Bell …

Mary Jane Martin, age 77, died on Friday, November 18, 2016. In accordance with family wishes, cremation will be conducted and there will be no public services held at this time. Arrangements by Hohner Funeral Home.

Lucille M. Regan, age 87, of Marcellus, passed away on Saturday, November 19, 2016. She was born March 31, 1929 in Chicago, the daughter of Fritz and Jean Schwabe. She was very proud of working for Edward Lowe and through him she became a national spokesperson for his brand Kitty Litter and was on the David Letterman Show. She was …

The latest incident of damage to the Langley Covered Bridge overhead sign occurred the last week of October, when the driver of a box truck disregarded the numerous advance warnings about height restrictions. The southbound vehicle struck the overhead sign arched over the north end of the covered bridge causeway. Road commission manager Chris Minger said the vehicle struck the …

Investigators from Michigan State Police were called last week to an incident initially reported to the St. Joseph County Child Protective Services. Troopers said the incident unfolded around 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Spartan Motel in Three Rivers, where a report was taken regarding meth activity in a room also occupied by two children. A CPS worker and state police …

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 …