South Bend police are investigating the weekend death of a Michigan man killed when his dune buggy crashed during a “mud bog” race at the St. Joseph County 4-H Fairgrounds.  Forty-eight-year-old Steven DeLeeuw of West Olive, Mich., was pronounced dead Saturday night at a South Bend hospital after his vehicle flipped several times and crashed into a concrete barrier and …

Divers from the Michigan State Police recovery unit had no success in a search Thursday for locating the remains of Venus Stewart. Acting on a tip, divers spent the morning searching a stretch of the St. Joseph River in Colon Township, adjacent to her parents’ residence on Driftwood Drive. A cadaver K-9 helped pinpoint an area to search, but divers …

Organizers of the fourth annual Burr Oak Heritage Festival said the three-day event, which concluded Sunday, was the village’s most successful community celebration yet. Barb Wittlock, village clerk and a member of the Heritage Festival Committee, said Friday’s old-fashioned baseball game between the Burr Oak Bandits and Sturgis Biscuits drew more than 200 spectators, Saturday’s parade featured 60-plus entries, the …

An annual fundraiser to support military members injured during combat drew nearly 400 people at the Lee and Peggy Fassett residence in Park Township. Peggy Fassett said donations raised through the fourth annual Homes for Our Troops exceeded $7,000, the most in the event’s short history. The gathering Saturday evening featured a hog roast and other food, live music and …

Opal Ferguson, age 90, of Mendon, died Friday July 27, 2012 at her home following a long illness. She was born in Blue Ridge, GA on Dec. 15, 1921 the daughter of Carl and Florence (Frady) Heaton, and attended school in Georgia. She was married to Arthur Lloyd Ferguson on March 19, 1938 in Blue Ridge. While living here, Opal …

Katina M. Shepherd, age 53, of Mendon, passed away Thursday, July 26, 2012, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. Katina was born June 2, 1959, in Farmington, Maine, a daughter of the late Floyd and Mildred (Daggett) Ladd. Katina graduated from Three Rivers High School with the class of 1977. She had made her home in Mendon for the past …

Aretha Mary Klopfenstein, age 88, of Howe, Ind., went to be with her Lord and Savior unexpectedly Wednesday afternoon, July 25, 2012, at her home. She was born Feb. 1, 1924, in Belgian Congo, Africa to missionary parents, Henry and Phyllis (Stocker) Klopfenstine. Mrs. Klopfenstein resided most of her life in Howe, Ind., with her early life being lived in …

The process aimed at sustainable and more equitable funding for the Three Rivers Fire Department (TRFD) Ambulance Service continued to move forward Thursday evening (July 26) with the latest ‘Community Development Meeting’ (CDM) of officials from the City of Three Rivers and Fabius, Lockport and Park townships. City officials presented draft agreements between the city and each of the townships …

Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates increased in all of Michigan’s 17 major labor market areas in June, according to the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget. Total employment and labor force levels rose in most regions in June. “Workforce and employment levels in most Michigan regions expanded in June as summer and seasonal hiring continued,” said Rick Waclawek, director of …

Over 60 people came out July 21 to the second annual Stroller Roll to support the local early childhood fund. Many adults brought their children in strollers while others came out to run competitively. The funds raised will support the Early Childhood Implementation Fund held at the Sturgis Area Community Foundation. These dollars support preschool scholarships for at risk three …