Ronald W. Sager, 70, of Long Lake, Burr Oak, passed away March 19, 2012, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. Ron was born Sept.. 24, 1941, in Sturgis, a son of the late Walton V. and Doretha F. (Johnson) Sager. Ron graduated from Burr Oak High School with the class of 1958, he then continued his education at Ball State University, …

Congratulations go out to L.A.’s Coffee Cafe, 145 West Michigan Avenue, Three Rivers. Leslie Ann and the staff at L.A.’s are the proud recipients of five People’s Choice Awards for this year. They were recognized for having the “Best Waitress”, “Fastest Service”, “Best Cup of Coffee”, “Best Desserts”, and the “Friendliest Service” in the Three Rivers area. They would like …

The Three Rivers Department of Public Services said it will not be conducting a leaf and brush pick up this year. Based on that decision, DPS officials on Monday issued a news release, reminding residents that it is against city ordinance to place yard waste or debris in the street or the area between the street and the sidewalk. Residents …

St. Joseph County Treasurer Judie Ratering announced Monday that she has filed her paperwork to run for election to the post for its four-year term starting in January. Ratering, a 52-year-old Park Township resident, was appointed to the position earlier this year, as she has stepped in for Phyllis Bainbridge. Bainbridge retired for health reasons, though her term doesn’t expire …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department has issued an alert to residents in the area of Wilbur Road in Park Township. Earlier this month, a number of unlocked vehicles were entered and many items, including a GPS unit, cash and a cell phone accessory were stolen. In all cases where vehicles were entered, doors were left unlocked. The sheriff’s department …

Joseph Albert Tobon, age 68, of Three Rivers completed his life’s work on Sunday March 18, 2012. He was born in Cartago, Columbia on April 17, 1943 the son of Patricio and Beatriz (Marulanda) Tobon and attended high school and college in Columbia. It was there that he met his future wife, Nancy Young. They were married on Feb. 1, …

    Charles C. Monroe, 74, died in Three Rivers on March 17, 2012. He was born on Oct. 13, 1937 in Three Rivers, MI. the son of Dwight and Dorothy (Youells) Monroe. He had been a resident of Houston, Texas for the last 41 years, where he worked and retired from the Cameron Iron Works Company as a Quality …

Colon firefighters were called out to a house fire Monday afternoon on Willow Drive. One home was engulfed in flames, and strong winds sent flames to a neighboring home. Both houses sustained heavy damage. Firefighters were on scene for about 4 hours. The Colon Fire Department was assisted by Burr Oak, Leonidas, and Mendon. The Centreville Fire Department was dispatched …

A company that grinds wood into livestock bedding has lost its bid to move to a new location in northern Indiana after neighbors complained it shouldn’t be in a rural area.  The Elkhart County commissioners voted 2-1 Monday to deny the request from Martin Animal Bedding to build a couple miles outside Goshen. Company representative Barry Pharis told commissioners that …

Jamie Ann (Kastner) Graham, age 62, of Sturgis, died Sunday, March 18th, 2012 at the Fairview Nursing Centre in Centreville. She was born in Lansing, MI on December 4, 1949,  a daughter of James and Marion (Otis) Kastner. Jamie graduated from Centreville High School in 1968 and attended Glen Oaks Community College. She enjoyed bowling, crafts and reading and was also a …