They called themselves “The Chain Gang” — a group of bicyclists drawn together by zest for their sport, physical fitness and love of the outdoors whose day trip in the southwestern Michigan countryside ended tragically as a pickup truck plowed into them, killing five and injuring four others. Stunned biking enthusiasts joined relatives and friends of the riders Wednesday in …

Robert Kent Johns, age 73, of Three Rivers passed away on Monday, May 23, 2016.  He was born in Three Rivers on August 11, 1942 the son of William and Effie (Evans) Johns. Kent was a lifetime resident of Three Rivers.  He was employed as a private commercial jet pilot for many years.  He accumulated over ten thousand flight hours …

Dolly Mae Meyer, age 68, of Colon, passed away unexpectedly Monday, June 6, 2016, at her home. Dolly was born April 13, 1948, in Woodburn, Ind., a daughter of Thomas and Pauline (Clevenger) Beemer. She graduated from Quincy High School in 1966 and then continued her education at cosmetology school in Battle Creek. On June 10, 1967, she married Raymond …

Authorities say a 79-year-old woman died after her bicycle struck a horse-drawn carriage on Michigan’s Mackinac Island. Island police Chief Brett Riccinto said Gail Johnson of Llano, Texas, was bicycling on Main Street near the public library Tuesday afternoon. He says it appears she “veered over and … drove right into the carriage.” Riccinto says her head hit a crossbar …

A Michigan man charged with killing six strangers in between picking up riders for Uber is expected to use insanity as a defense. Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Getting said Monday that Jason Dalton’s defense attorney says he will file a notice of intent. Once the notice is filed, the state will be ordered to perform a psychiatric evaluation of Dalton …

Donna Marlene (Wright) Vickrey, 85, 1804 Ocean Ave., #111, Boynton Beach, FL, 33435, passed away on Wednesday, June 1, 2016. Donna was born on May 17, 1931 in Galesburg, Ill., the daughter of George and Clariece Wright. She attended Three Rivers High School, graduating in 1949. She was united in marriage to Charles Vickrey on Feb. 9, 1957 in the …

Some minor but important changes to the county’s fund-balance designations were made by commissioners Tuesday. Finance director Joni Smith said one of the two moves provides assurance that the county won’t have to borrow money when treasurer Judie Ratering conducts the annual delinquent-tax process. The delinquent-tax process needs $6 million every year to cash flow itself, Smith said, so keeping …

Organizers of the Three Rivers Water Festival said an opportunity to save money on armbands for rides at next week’s event is available for another week. Rides and games require tickets purchased at the midway site in the West City parking lot at a cost of $18 per person. Advanced sales for the armband tickets are available for $15 until …

State Rep. Aaron Miller said this coming Saturday and Sunday is Free Fishing Weekend in Michigan, and he urges people to join by casting a line in a local lake, pond or river. Miller said the Michigan Department of Natural Resources waives all fishing-license fees during Free Fishing Weekend so residents and out-of-staters alike can experience the joy of fishing …

I spent nine years working for a Japanese freight forwarder in Chicago. During those nine years, I was able to become familiar with the Japanese language, but not enough to follow the dialogue in foreign movies featuring Japanese actors. Thank God for movies like MIDWAY, where most of the script was in English. I am also a little familiar with …