The Michigan Department of Transportation has announced an upcoming closure of M-216 in Flowerfield Township. Starting March 18, the road will be closed west of the U.S. 131 intersection for reconstruction. A detour will follow Pulver, Johnson and Flowerfield roads. The roadwork is set to be completed May 31.

Antoinette Marie Christiaens, age 91, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away Friday morning, March 1, 2013, at the Bronson Battle Creek Hospital in Battle Creek, Mich. She was born April 20, 1921, in South Bend, Ind., a daughter of the late Michael and Josephine (Swiniarski) Sokoloski. Toni had resided in Sturgis since 1975 coming from Livonia, Mich. Her early life was …

William F.(Bill) Broker III, age 66, of Colon, passed away unexpectedly, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013, in Fergus Falls, MN. Bill was born Jan. 14, 1947, in Sturgis, Mich., a son to William F. and Margaret K. (Haroff) Broker II. Bill had lived all of his life in Colon, graduating from Colon High School with the Class of 1965 He furthered …

Jeffery Lee Fricker, age 49, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away early Friday evening, March 1, 2013, at the Sturgis Hospital Emergency Room. He was born March 12, 1963, in Sturgis, Mich.,son of John C. and Sharon L. (Knight) Fricker. Jeff was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1981. Jeff actively volunteered …

A 14-year-old girl missing from Three Rivers was located over the weekend in Kent County, Three Rivers Police said. Fourteen-year-old Alejandra Rubi had been missing since Feb. 21. After Rubi’s disappearance, police said she had phone contact with her mother the following day and told her mother she was alright, but no longer in Three Rivers. She was found Saturday …

Officials from the city of Sturgis have approved a letter of intent with St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners regarding the development of a senior center. The proposed center is slated to be built on property adjacent to the Doyle Community Center and would be leased to the county for a token $1 annually. County Commission members over the past …

Three Rivers High School girls basketball team is District 34 champ, thanks to a 50-23 victory Friday over Sturgis. The 22-1, Lady Cats move on to regional action Tuesday, when they take on 13-7 Stevensville-Lakeshore at 6 p.m. in Coloma, and we’ll carry the game on WRCI 97.1 FM, with the pre-game show getting underway at 5:50. We’ll also stream …

Paul Robert Jacobs, 84, of Three Rivers, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013 at Fairview Nursing and Rehab Facility. Paul was born June 2, 1928 in Centreville the son of Ernest and Edna (Cain) Jacobs. Paul owned a dairy farm in Three Rivers where he managed and tended to his land. Paul then developed and owned his excavating business …

Clarence Lester “Bud” Swihart, age 73, of Mendon, went to be with the Lord while surrounded by his loving family on Friday March 1, 2013. He was born March 31, 1939, in Colon, a son of Walter and Ethel (Ware) Swihart. He worked at several area family farms while attending Colon Schools. He served with the U.S. Army and then …

Warren Lavern Harder, age 83, of Three Rivers, went to be with his Lord on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born May 13, 1929, in Three Rivers, a son of the late, Charles L. and Grace (White-Dieffenderfer) Harder. Mr. Harder has been a lifetime member of Three Rivers. After graduating from …