State Rep. Aaron Miller has announced office hours for an informal gathering later this month in Cass County. Miller invites residents to join him 8 to 9 a.m. March 30 at the Broadway Café, 158 S.  Broadway St., in Cassopolis. Miller said connecting face-to-face with people in communities throughout the district is one of the most rewarding aspects of being …

Marge Caid, band director at Constantine High School, recently received a $2,500 grant from Farmers Grow Rural Education, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund. A former band student, Sheryl Miller applied for the grant, which gives farmers the opportunity to nominate a rural public school district in their community to receive funds. In 2016, Monsanto Fund grants totaling $2.3 million were …

If you are like me, every once in a while, a song comes on the radio that you swear was written for you. Whether the song relates to a situation in your life, your job, a relationship or whatever the event, certain songs can put into words what you are feeling or going through, sometimes in perfect clarity. Some songs …

Roy Leon Hackenberg, 98, of Three Rivers, passed away on Friday, March 18, 2016 at Brookdale Assisted Living Center, Ann Arbor. Roy was born on March 13, 1918 in Flowerfield Township, Michigan the son of Frank Arthur and Lillie Belle (Kline) Hackenberg. Roy graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1936. On Jan. 28, 1941 he was united in marriage …

Mrs. Vera May Young, age 89, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 18, 2016 at the Riverview Manor Nursing Home following a lengthy illness. She was born on May 8, 1926 in Three Rivers, MI. the daughter of the late Ray and Marie (Spooner) Fitch. Mrs. Young has been a lifetime resident of Three Rivers. Following graduation …

A chilly spring? That would be fine with the folks in Holland in western Michigan, where tulips are celebrated during a May festival. Many plants already are poking through the ground, part of the 425,000 tulip bulbs planted last fall. Tulip Time marketing director Susan Zalnis says she can’t believe she’s “cheering” for cool weather, which would slow down the …

Shirley Jean (Roberts) Haas, age 87, died at Drew’s Place in Coldwater on Saturday, March 19, 2016 after a long illness. Shirley was born on December 5, 1928 to Mendon residents Leda (Cupp) Roberts and Louis Roberts. During her childhood Shirley lived in Zeeland ,MI and Gainesville, FL, but spent her summers with her grandparents, Norman and Alvie Cupp on …

John Pederson, age 72, died on Friday, March 18th. Arrangements are being handled by Hohner Funeral Home.

Lyle E. Motter, age 81, of Sherwood, passed away Thursday, March 17, 2016, at Bronson of Battle Creek Hospital. Lyle was born Sept. 10, 1934, in Leonidas, a son to the late Roy and Grace I. (Birkley) Motter. He had served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. On Feb. 6, 1956, he married Shirley L. Batterson in Angola, …

Dorothy May Nichols, age 102, of Colon, passed away Friday, March 18, 2016, at Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation Community in Centreville. Dorothy was born Nov. 5, 1913, in Colon, a daughter to the late Lou G. and Lucy Belle (Gregg) Dingman. She had lived most all of her life in the Colon area, graduating from Colon High School with the …