Officials from the village of Burr Oak have been fielding an unusually large volume of complaints regarding cruelty to animals. Specifically, cats seem to be the targeted animals, village officials said. The issue came to light after resident Anita Michielsen told Burr Oak Police Chief Cynthia Miller about a mother cat she believes was shot and killed, leaving behind a …

For the tenth time since 1967, the city of Sturgis is welcoming a group of visitors from Wiesloch (VEES-lock), Germany. The Sister City group arrived in Sturgis on Saturday and will depart on Wednesday. As part of the visit, the Sturgis Sister City Committee hosted a gathering Sunday at Oaklawn Park. Mike Mestelle led a group of musicians at the …

Harlon Phillip Robinson, 88, of Three Rivers, passed away on May 22, 2012 at the Heartland Health Care Nursing Home. Harlon was born on June 18, 1923 in Cass County, the son of the late Phillip “Jerry” and Edna (Roberts) Robinson. Harlon graduated in 1942 from Marcellus High School. He married Alma Boggio on Feb. 2, 1945. On Oct. 11, …

Beverly J. Nemeth, 83, of White Pigeon, died unexpectedly Thursday, May 25, 2012, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She was born Dec. 5, 1928, in Sturgis, a daughter of Edward and Rhoda (Nichols) Hagen. She had been a resident of White Pigeon since 2000, coming from Yuma, Ariz., where she lived for 19 years. Her early life was spent in …

Francis “Frank” Joseph Cipriano, 61, of Three Rivers, died May 13, 2012, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born June 8, 1950, in Kalamazoo, a son of Joseph and Ruth (Wheater) Cipriano. Frank graduated from Monsignor Hackett High School in Kalamazoo before serving his country as a member of the U.S. Navy. He was employed by HI Tech …

Eugene Harold Brown, 87, of Three Rivers, died Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Battle Creek. He was born in Three Rivers on Oct. 18, 1924 the son of Carl and Helen (Reist) Brown and graduated from Three Rivers High School. He served in the U. S. Army during WWII, fighting in Europe, and was …

Fronie Marie (Underwood) Halfacre-Stanfill of Jackson passed away peacefully at her home on May 23, 2012 after a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 67. Fronie was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was born in Three Rivers on Oct. 16, 1944 to Keith and Willie Mae (Spann) Underwood. Fronie graduated from Three Rivers High …

A 27-year-old White Pigeon man, wanted after he escaped from sheriff’s deputies last week, turned himself in to authorities Tuesday. Undersheriff Mark Lillywhite said Nicholas Ames was wanted for fleeing and eluding following a police chase that originated in White Pigeon shortly after 11 p.m. May 23. Ames fled westbound on U.S. 12 and eluded authorities by jumping off a …

The first St. Joseph County school district to begin its summer break is in Colon, where its students have a noon dismissal today, wrapping up their 2011-12 academic year. Other last days of school in St. Joseph County are June 1 for Constantine; June 6 for Burr Oak; June 7 for Three Rivers and White Pigeon; June 8 for Centreville …

Members of White Pigeon Community Schools’ Board of Education recently recognized key representatives from the Chief Pride campaign. Jody Davidson, Melanie Atherton, Joy Weber and Melissa Grant were instrumental in organizing a “vote yes” campaign that resulted in the May 8 passage of the sinking-fund renewal. Superintendent Ron Drzewicki  said the district is grateful for the residents who helped with …