Three Rivers Fire Department Chief Dan Tomlinson has announced the agency has been awarded an improved rating by the Insurance Services Office. As a result of the agency’s rating from Class 5 to Class 4 effective Aug. 1, insurance premiums for a number of residential, commercial and industrial property owners within the city limits could decrease. Tomlinson said the ISO’s …

Organizers of this weekend’s Mendon Riverfest have issued a reminder that many of the activities set to take place during the three-day celebration require advance registration. The festival’s website has sign-up forms for prospective participants in the Riverfest parade, its arts and crafts exhibit, Saturday’s Hornet Hustle 5K run, a fishing tournament, canoe swamp, canoe race, kayak race and Thursday’s …

Troopers from the Michigan State Police detachment in White Pigeon are investigating an incident during which a man pointed a gun at a group of children at a rural location in Mendon Township. A group of four children were riding bicycles Thursday on Wakeman Road, west of Baer Road, when a man in a green GMC pickup truck pointed a …

An irrigation panel was damaged during an incident between Aug. 4 and 5 in a field on Peck Academy Road in Constantine Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said the damage to a center-pivot irrigation system came shortly after the pivot had been repaired from having its copper wire stolen. The extent of damage and cost of repairs was …

Once again, I make the comment, “We have to be living in Michigan. Ninety degrees one day, only to have temps in sixties the next.” It’s getting to the point at which you don’t want to put away your winter or summer clothes. You never know what the weather will be from one day to the next. The Olympics are …

Hope Ann (Fritz) Spenner,   age 39, of Centreville, passed away Tuesday, August 14th, 2012 at her home. She was born in in Three Rivers on March 13, 1973, the daughter of W. James & Linda Ann (Frays) Fritz. Hope graduated from Centreville High School. She attended Ball State University for 2 years and then received her degree in Sociology and Criminal …

Carroll Jay Mericle, 60, of Schoolcraft, passed away Friday, Aug. 10, 2012 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. Cremation has taken place and private graveside services will be held. Arrangements by Hohner Funeral Home.

Mary Ruth Boughton, age 68, of Sturgis, passed away early Monday morning, Aug. 13, 2012, at her home surrounded by her family, following a long courageous battle with breast cancer. She was born July 16, 1944, in Muncie, Ind., a daughter of the late Rufus and Olive (Beck) Alley. Mary retired from the Dometic Corporation in LaGrange, Ind., following 10 …

Park Township officials have accepted a low bid of $29,000 to demolish the former Parkville Christian Community Church. During action last week, the township board approved the bid from Three Rivers-based Roberts Brothers Excavating, which could begin the tear-down process as early as by the end of the month. The 146-year-old building has been deemed unsafe by township officials and …

A 50-year-old Nottawa woman remains in critical condition as she recovers from being struck by a car while riding her bike last week. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Esther Schmucker has been at Bronson Methodist Hospital since she was struck head-on by a vehicle driven by 28-year-old Jeremy Conley, of Sturgis. The incident occurred around 5:30 p.m. Thursday …