Lila Mae Withers, age 89, of Three Rivers, passed away on Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at Three Rivers Health. She was born February 27, 1927 to Jesse and Effie (Newman) Rumsey. She married Herman Withers on August 30, 1945. She was employed at J.P. Falvey’s for fifteen years. Herman Withers passed away in October of 1977. Lila married F. Merle …

A southwestern Michigan police department has changed its policy on pursuits after a motorist was killed after her vehicle was hit by another car fleeing police. Portage’s public safety Director Richard White tells WOOD-TV his department is no longer chasing motorists for minor offenses. Officers still will chase violent felons and drivers posing threats to the public. White says: “I …

Dr. Donald E. Bradley, age 93, of Colon, passed away Friday, July 8, 2016, at the Birch Adult Foster Care Home in Leonidas. Don was born June 4, 1923, in Virden, Manitoba, Canada, a son to the late Dr. John W. and Marion Ellen (Barton) Bradley. Don received his early education in Virden and enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air …

Nancy Carol Franovich, age 69, of Colon, passed away Friday, July 8, 2016, at Community Health Center of Branch County in Coldwater. Nancy was born Nov. 3, 1946, in Chicago, daughter to the late William and Letha (West) McLaughlin. She married Donald A. Franovich in November of 1966 in Dolton, Ill. Nancy had made her home in Colon for the …

Alice Georgia Johnson, age 87, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully Friday, July 1, 2016 at her home surrounded by her loving family.  She was born in Mishawaka, IN., on May 27, 1929 the daughter of the late Clarence and Hazel (Beard) Thomas. Mrs. Johnson was united in marriage to Mr. Kenneth D. Johnson on Feb. 5th, 1949 and together …

KALAMAZOO, MI – Joel Martin is set to return to the Kalamazoo Wings for his eighth season, the team announced in a press release on Friday. The 2016-17 season will be the 14th for the accomplished netminder. Last season was a year filled with many noteworthy accolades for Martin. The Fort Worth, Texas native suited up in 64 (career high) …

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce will have to delay the fourth annual “Treasures of St. Joseph County” event. Designed after the CBS program, “The Amazing Race,” this year’s Treasures event was supposed to take place this coming Sunday. Chamber CEO Christy Trammell said a re-scheduled date has been tentatively set for Sept. 11. Additional …

Two enclosed trailers were stolen over the weekend from a location in Mottville Township. State police investigators were called around 7 a.m. Saturday to the 68000 block of Union Road, where the victim told authorities the trailers were likely taken between 6 and 7 o’clock that morning. One measures eight-feet-wide by 20-feet in length. The second trailer is five-feet wide …

Contractors for the city of Sturgis last week completed repairs to the earthen embankment at the Sturgis hydroelectric dam. With repairs completed, the city has started to raise water levels in the reservoir. Water levels were raised by six inches in all between Saturday and Sunday. Starting today, the reservoir will be raised approximately six inches per day until it …

State police investigators are looking into a home invasion that occurred last week in Constantine Township. Troopers were called Thursday afternoon to the 65000 block of Constantine Road, where force was used to enter a residence between noon and 4 p.m. Among items stolen were a long gun, knives, jewelry boxes and jewelry.