Suzanne Elizabeth (Sturgis) Meyer left her earthly body and entered the presence of her Heavenly Father in heaven Sunday evening, June 10, 2012. She had been under hospice care at the Garden of the God’s Care Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., since April 30, 2012. She was a farmer’s daughter. She never shied away from hard work or complained about …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners is expected to decide next week whether to support a funding request of about $6,000 for patrol of Cade Lake and Nottawa parks. During a special meeting Tuesday, the St. Joseph County Parks and Recreation Commission agreed to ask for the funding. The money would allow the sheriff’s department to dedicate a part-time …

The Three Rivers American Legion, Hice-Shutes Post 170, is staging a flag-retirement event at 4 p.m. Thursday in the post parking lot. Organized to coincide with Flag Day, the ceremonial flag-burning event will retire flags that are tattered, faded and no longer fit to be displayed in a dignified manner. Post 170 member Keith Clark said the legion has collected …

Gov. Rick Snyder on Tuesday signed into law a legislative package that grants biological fathers parental rights to children they have fathered with a married woman. House Bill 5328, sponsored by state Rep. Matt Lori, allows men who father children with married women a role in how their children are raised. Under the previous law, the husband of the mother …

The Three Rivers Lion Club will provide free vision screening for people of all ages Friday and Saturday afternoons, during the Three Rivers Water Festival. The screenings will take place near L. A.’s Coffee Café, on West Michigan Avenue, starting at 1 p.m. Infants through children age 5 are seated on a parent’s lap and photographed with a vision screener, …

It’s easy to see that this is Water Festival Week. Looking out my office window, I see trucks and trailers from Schmidt Amusements getting the Midway ready for business. This Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, the downtown business district and Scidmore Park turn into a sea of activity during the 56th Annual Three Rivers Water Festival. AHOY, TR!! Excitement awaits you …

The Kalamazoo Wings, proud member of the ECHL, three-time defending North Division Champions and National Hockey League affiliate to the Vancouver Canucks and New Jersey Devils and the American Hockey League’s Albany Devils, announce the organization has signed director of hockey operations and head coach Nick Bootland to a new three-year contract through the 2014-15 season; per team policy, the …

Andrew Walter ‘Walt’ Gray, 83, of Sturgis, died Friday, June 8, 2012, at his son’s home in White Pigeon, following an extended illness. He was born July 3, 1928, in Brooklyn, a son of Andrew and Iva (McJury) Gray. He had been a Sturgis resident for 55 years, coming from Three Rivers. He had been employed as a salesman and truck driver. …

Wanda J. Fox, age 87, a 60-year resident of Burr Oak, passed away Monday, June 11, 2012, at Sturgis Hospital. She was born July 4, 1924, in Flint, a daughter of the late Jake and Vera (Bell) Smart. In 1947, she was united in marriage to Raymond “Pete” Fox in Centreville. He preceded her in death. Wanda had been employed …

Investigators looking into the cause of a weekend fire that destroyed Waterfront Apartments in Three Rivers have pinpointed the origin of the blaze. Three Rivers Fire Chief Dan Tomlinson said a third-floor balcony at the northwest end of the three-story structure was determined to be the starting point of the Saturday morning fire. What investigators have yet to figure is …