A fundraiser last month staged by the Animal Control Advisory Board of St. Joseph County has resulted in the purchase of two, new air-conditioning units. Loralee Knepper, an animal shelter volunteer, said the $5,000 raised during the May 13 event in Sturgis allowed for the purchase of the 14,000-BTU portable air conditioners. The devices also serve as heaters and can …

A Three Rivers pastor faces charges of criminal sexual conduct following his arrest Wednesday. Three Rivers police said James Bailey Jr., 66, was charged with three counts each of criminal sexual conduct third degree and CSC fourth degree. The charges stem from incidents that allegedly occurred at Three Rivers Bible Church on two separate dates in April and May, according …

A bicyclist who survived being hit by a pickup truck that killed five of her fellow riders in southwestern Michigan says she has no recollection of the crash scene. Sheila Jeske tells WOOD-TV she visited the crash site in Kalamazoo County’s Cooper Township after being discharged from the hospital. She says: “All I can say it was a beautiful place …

An Indiana man charged with murder in a 1977 southwestern Michigan killing that police initially classified as a suicide has been ordered to stand trial. Police in May arrested 57-year-old Raymond Robert Richmond in South Bend, Indiana. A judge on Wednesday in Michigan ordered him to stand trial in the death of 25-year-old Robert Stasiak. Richmond, who was 18 at …

Michigan health officials say they’ve confirmed the first case of Rocky Mountain spotted fever contracted in the state since 2009. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced Thursday that the case involved a child in southwestern Michigan’s Cass County. Rocky Mountain spotted fever is caused by bacteria and can be fatal if not treated promptly and correctly, even …

Gov. Rick Snyder has vetoed legislation that he says would have increased the cost of auto repairs in Michigan and possibly car insurance, too. The bill won overwhelmingly approval in the Legislature. It would have amended the law to state that when repairing certain parts during the first five years of a vehicle’s warranty, body shops could use only new …

Lisa Kay Sinkler, age 48, of Three Rivers, passed away surrounded by her family on Wednesday, June 15, 2016, after a long battle with Crohn’s disease. She was born in Kalamazoo, on February 25, 1968. She was a member of the Town & Country Riders 4-H Saddle Club and competed in the 1985 Miss Michigan Teen Pageant. She spent her …

Gary Alan Bradford, age 56, of Three Rivers, passed away on Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at his home surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle against cancer. He was born on Feb. 29th, 1960 in Three Rivers, the son of the late George Bradford and Mrs. Juanita (Davis) Ely. Gary was a commercial truck driver for the Simpson …

Lucas Ryan Irwin of Three Rivers passed away on Friday, June 10, 2016 at the age of 28. He was born in Three Rivers on May 28, 1988. Lucas battled many of life’s paths with utmost determination. He enjoyed many sports and loved car shows. He touched many lives without even knowing his impact, making memories that last forever. Lucas …

Marc William Schumacher, age 62, of Three Rivers, formerly of Birmingham, MI, passed away Tuesday, June 7, 2016 at his home.  He was born in Royal Oak, MI. on December 5, 1953 the son of the late William A. and Amelia (Marek) Schumacher. Marc graduated from the University of Michigan with his M.B.A. and was a Practicing Attorney in general …