Officials from American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. have announced a $100 million investment in its Three Rivers plant, which is expected to create 500 new jobs at the local site. The news comes on top of the addition of 300 new jobs the company said it added in Three Rivers last year. Company officials said the addition centers on …

Despite the snow and cold, an $18 million road project is slated to kick off today. The five-mile, Constantine U.S. 131 bypass is scheduled to begin with attention focusing on construction of a bridge over the St. Joseph River in Constantine Township, about a half mile west of the U.S. 131 bridge in the village of Constantine. Contractor Hardman Construction …

Investigators with the White Pigeon detachment of the Michigan State Police agency were called to a Lockport Township business last week in response to a break-in and theft. Around 8 a.m. Friday, MSP personnel were called to Eagle Auto Parts after an employee noticed a 1994 Chevrolet pickup truck and a variety of hand tools were taken from the premises. …

A spring completion date for the Three Rivers Menard’s home-improvement store appears to be on track. Construction officials said construction of the 215,000-square-foot business is on pace to open in April, as projected. The store is under construction on the south side of Broadway Road, just west of U.S. 131. Development started in July. The new Menard’s is expected to …

Donald Edward Wheeler, age 85, of Colon died Thursday Jan. 31, 2013 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. He was born in Defiance, Ohio on June 19, 1927 the son of the late Lloyd and Ethel (Bohn) Wheeler and attended schools in Defiance. Donald was a truck driver for several years and worked at the Chrysler Corporation assembly plant in …

Melvin Edward Detwiler, age 67, of Mendon died Saturday Feb. 2, 2013 at Three Rivers Health following a long illness. He was born in Three Rivers on Sep. 5, 1945 the son of the late Stanley and Laura (Halstead) Detwiler and was a lifetime resident of St. Joseph County. He was married to Sharon Mains on March 27, 1964, and …

Donald Custard, age 94, of Mendon died Saturday Feb. 2, 2013 at the Sunshine Adult Foster Home in Three Rivers. Don was born in Grand Rapids, MI on June 17, 1918 the second son of Herbert and Elizabeth (Sheffield) Custard. He grew up in Mendon attending Mendon Schools and graduating with the class of 1936. He was president of his …

Leland L. Warren, 85, of Mottville Township, White Pigeon, died Monday, Jan. 28, 2013 at Heartland Health Care Center in Three Rivers following a short illness. He was born June 21, 1927 in White Pigeon Township the son of Albert and Esther (Quick) Warren, and lived in the Mottville Township and White Pigeon area most of his life. On Aug. …

Vonda Lorrain Reiff, 56, of Three Rivers, passed away suddenly on Jan. 17, 2013 at her home. She was born in Goshen, Ind. on Sept. 28, 1956 the daughter of Jacob and Linda Groff. Mrs. Reiff and her husband David were the proprietors of “A Perfect Pet and Bait Shop.” Vonda truly loved spending time with family and friends and …

Bernice H. (Barnett-Randol) Berry, 66, of Dowagiac, and formerly of Colon, died Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013, at her home, following an extended illness. Visitation will be held 4-6 p.m. Saturday at Farrand Funeral Home in White Pigeon. Funeral services will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Scott Manning of the United Methodist Church officiating. Cremation will follow, …