The Three Rivers Lady Wildcats basketball team fell short of returning to the state finals for a second consecutive year. Three Rivers was on the short end of a 35-21 defeat Friday at the hands of Battle Creek Harper Creek. The Beavers upped their record to 20-3 and advance to regional action in Hamilton. The Lady Wildcats, meanwhile, finish the …

The Sturgis Journal announced it is no longer printing its newspaper in Sturgis, as the job has been passed on to a sister company in Allegan. Saturday’s edition of the six-day-a-week newspaper was the final copy produced on the 38-year-old presses at the Journal’s John Street office. Fourteen jobs were lost as a result of the move, which was orchestrated …

George Allen Williams, 68, of Three Rivers, went to be with his heavenly father, Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012 at his home. George was born Dec. 23, 1943 in Vermont, a son to the late Harold and Laura (Dane) Williams. He graduated from Lyndon Institute, Lyndon Center, Vt. in 1961 and joined the U.S. Navy from 1961 to 1968. He married …

Joseph John (nee: Szymanski) Simmons, 95, of Jones, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012 at Riverview Manor in Three Rivers. Joe was born on Jan. 16, 1917 in Chicago, Ill., the son of Frank and Mary Szymanski. Mr. Simmons was raised in Lansing, Ill. It was there he formed a lasting relationship with his great friends Mr. Robert and Frances …

For the third consecutive season, a district championship in girls varsity basketball will involve Three Rivers and Battle Creek Harper Creek. The two high school powers clash at Battle Creek Pennfield High School at 7 o’clock tonight.  We’ll carry the game live on WRCI 97.1 beginning at 6:50pm.  We’ll also stream the game at www.wrciradio.com. Three Rivers sports an 18-3 …

The Sturgis District Library has issued a notice advising patrons that it will be closed from Saturday through March 12, as new carpet is being installed. Library officials said the current carpet is 18 years old and is showing its wear. They said approximately 1.5 million people have patronized the library over the time period. The children’s room is expected …

Emergency crews responded Wednesday afternoon to a diesel fuel spill on U.S. 131 in northern St. Joseph County. Sheriff’s Department personnel said a semi tractor-trailer was heading north when its driver’s side, front tire blew out. The force of the blown tire punctured the fuel tank, investigators said. Traffic was reduced to one lane while emergency personnel tended to the …

Kadant Johnson is asking potential participants in the second annual Hoops for Hope – a 3-on-3 corporate basketball tournament – to start forming and register their teams. The fundraiser, to benefit the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of Three Rivers, will take place at 9 a.m. March 24 in the Three Rivers High School gymnasium. Event organizers said 100 …

Margaret Jane Tobey, age 100, of rural Three Rivers, died Wednesday Feb. 29, 2012 at the home of her son in Battle Creek. She was born in Chicago, IL on April 29, 1911 the daughter of Rudolph and Caroline (Kratky) Koenig. The family moved to Portage Lake when Margaret was very young where she attended Canada Corners Country School. She …

Helen F. Lemak, age 96, of Sturgis, passed away peacefully in her bed at Thurston Woods Village around 11 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012. She enjoyed a long, full life. Loved and cherished by so many in the world, she is reunited in death with her husband Louis Lemak Jr., and is survived by son Louis and daughter-in-law Marilyn of …