Mark “Uncle Sam” Fitch, 61, of Muskegon, passed away unexpectedly at his home Monday, July 4, 2016. He was born Oct. 22, 1954, in Three Rivers to Jerry Austin and Mildred Ann (Proctor) Fitch. Mark was an avid Detroit Lions and Tigers fan, having never missed a Lions game in 50 years. He also loved running, fishing, going to the …

A 6-year-old Three Rivers boy drowned over the holiday weekend in Kalamazoo County. According to Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s deputies, Carvell Johnson was found unresponsive in about three feet of water at 4:30 p.m. Sunday in Crooked Lake. The 162-acre body of water is in Texas Township. Family members told police Johnson was aboard a pontoon boat with adults and other …

A former Centreville teacher averted trial on more than 100 charges of criminal sexual conduct Tuesday. Terry Miller, 47, pleaded no contest to one count of attempted fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct before St. Joseph County 45th Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman. As part of the plea agreement all other charges will be dismissed. The prosecution also recommended no up-front jail …

A Constantine-area man was cited for domestic violence and possession of a firearm while under the influence of alcohol this week. State Police were notified around 10 p.m. Tuesday about a 60-year-old man allegedly armed with a rifle and threatening to kill his wife and himself at a residence in the 62000 block of Lutz Road in Constantine Township. The …

A 14-year-old girl driving a golf cart was injured last weekend after the vehicle was struck by a pickup in Cass County. Deputies were called around 6:30 p.m. Saturday to the intersection of Wayne Street and Hilltop Drive in Porter Township. Investigators said it appears the girl drove from Hilltop Drive onto Wayne Street but failed to yield the right-of-way …

A Montcalm County woman has been accused of taking four fawns from the woods and giving them to family friends as pets. Authorities say the woman called the Michigan Department of Natural Resources May 18, and said she discovered a fawn whose mother wasn’t around. DNR Sgt. Ron Kimmerly says the woman was told to put the fawn back where …

A WWII bomber recovered from Lake Michigan has arrived at the Air Zoo in Portage for restoration. The Kalamazoo Gazette reports that the restoration process for the U.S. Navy Douglas SBD-2P Dauntless Dive Bomber is expected to take three to five years to complete. The restoration will be done mostly by volunteers. The plane is the third Lake Michigan-recovered aircraft …

A rupture released steam at a nuclear power plant in southwestern Michigan, forcing a utility to shut down one of the two units. Indiana Michigan Power says the steam was not radioactive but it damaged a wall at the Cook Nuclear Plant Unit 2 early Wednesday in Bridgman. There were no injuries. The utility says there were no other complications …

Lila Mae Withers-Godber, age 89, died on Tuesday, July 5, 2016. In accordance with family wishes cremation will be conducted. Graveside services and interment of cremains will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 16, 2016 at Marcellus Cemetery with Pastor Gary Carr officiating. Arrangements by Hohner Funeral Home.

Marvin E Stuart, age 84, of Leonidas, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 3, 2016, while at home in Leonidas. He was born July 27, 1931, at Corey Lake, Fabius Township, near Three Rivers, to the late Harry Earl Stuart and Helen Irene Smith Stuart. After graduation from Colon High School in 1949, Marvin earned his bachelor’s degree …