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A 250-pound urn was stolen from a burial site between March 4 and 11 at Leonidas Cemetery. According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, the cement urn was painted black, stands about 30 inches high and has a diameter of about 18 inches. The item was reported stolen last Saturday.

Constantine Police Chief Jim Bedell is heading up a cause that would allow for the purchase of a headstone for Jodi Parrack’s gravesite. Bedell said the 11-year-old Constantine girl, whose killer remains at large, is buried at White Pigeon Cemetery and lacks a permanent headstone. Parrack was last seen riding her bike home from a friend’s house in November 2007. …

Southwestern Michigan authorities say a 64-year-old woman died after arriving at her home, where a propane tank explosion and fire took place.  The Cass County sheriff’s department says Arlene Kern’s 36-year-old son had started a fire in a wood burning stove on Monday and propane tank exploded at the home in Porter Township. Authorities say the man got out unharmed …

The Three Rivers Lions Club has selected Vera and Jim Bippus of Three Rivers as its 2012 “Citizens of the Year.” The selection makes them the fourth married couple to win the award since the local Lions Club started its Citizen of the Year program in 1965. In keeping with its tradition, the Lions Club and its Citizen of the …

St. Joseph County is on its way to having its own Marine Corps League. Following a 90-minute meeting Saturday at Mendon Village Hall, a group seeking the county’s own league was given preliminary approval from the state’s top league official. With a turnout of nearly 20 prospective members at the organizational meeting, the only hurdle to clear is the national …

Three Rivers Health and its fitness center, HealthTRAC, have announced the 13th annual Triple Creek Dash. The event starts at 9 a.m. April 14. Check-in and same-day registration begins at 7 a.m. The race course will include the neighborhood surrounding the Three Rivers Health campus, bounded by U.S. 131, Michigan Avenue, Broadway Street and the St. Joseph River. The event …

Members of the Colon Village Council last week agreed to an increase in sewer and water rates. The 3.5 percent hike for the utility services was to go into effect this week. Village officials said the modification was necessary to offset an increase in its costs following a long-negotiated agreement with Colon Township and the Colon Fire and Rescue squad. …

The Constantine Public Schools Board of Education has taken on changes at the state level that allow school districts to extend the terms of board of education members from four to six years. The matter was approved earlier this week by board members. Those in favor of the revised term length said the option provides more stability than what is …

A potential change in the leadership of the Three Rivers Public Library Board could be forthcoming. Mayor Tom Lowry and members of the Three Rivers City Commission on Tuesday discussed the option of removing Sharon Rogers as president of the library board. Commissioners, however, agreed to wait until after the library board stages its monthly meeting Tuesday next week and …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has put off at least until April setting the date for a public hearing on a millage renewal request in support of the county’s E-911 Central Dispatch. Commissioners on Tuesday agreed to ask E-911 Central Dispatch Director Jonathan Uribe to provide them a long-term financial picture, including the department’s potential major purchases and …