News

Two cheer-team squads from Three Rivers had a successful experience in a national competition last weekend in Virginia Beach, Va. Caroline Goodall, coach for the Three Rivers Young Champions Cheer team, said its 21-person Division 4 team took first place in the national championship round Saturday. Meanwhile, its 27-member Division 5 team took second place in the nation. The age …

A riding lawn mower was stolen between July 13 and 23 from a residence in Sturgis Township. Michigan State Police investigators said the mower was stolen from a barn on Fawn River Road, west of South Centerville Road. Tire tracks in the area indicate the mower was driven in an eastbound direction.

An employee who almost ruined a small grocery chain in southwestern Michigan has been sentenced to more than seven years in prison for embezzlement. Christopher Pratt admits he stole more than $6 million from Village Market Food Centers, based in South Haven, while handling the financial books. He was sentenced Monday in Kalamazoo federal court. The 42-year-old Portage man had …

A Sturgis man died and another suffered serious injuries during a single-car crash in Sturgis Saturday morning. Sturgis police said Mark Edmisten, 28, died after the vehicle he was driving crashed into a tree at the intersection of Hatch and Jean streets. A passenger, 42-year-old Juan Ortiz, was airlifted to Bronson Methodist Hospital. Police said speed and alcohol appear to …

Three Rivers city officials celebrated the opening of the first business on the former Essex Wire site with a ceremonial ribbon cutting last week. Friday’s media event centered on a business called The Shop at Sheffield, owned by Central Manufacturing Services. The Shop includes maintenance and washing services, as well as an operations office for CMS. The 11,000-square-foot facility is …

Organizers of the fifth annual Burr Oak Heritage Festival said despite rain and cool temperatures during key events, the 2013 community celebration was a success. Sunday’s community worship service and hog roast had to be moved indoors due to wet conditions. Also, temperatures only in the upper 50s resulted in Saturday’s fireworks display drawing a smaller crowd than last year. …

A 32-year-old White Pigeon man was airlifted to Borgess Medical Center Friday evening after he was involved in a motorcycle crash in Mottville Township. The incident occurred on U.S. 12 near Mann Road. The victim was identifed as Cheyenne King. He reportedly collided with the rear of a minivan which had stopped for construction.

Sixteen area children between 8 and 13 years of age spent several hours Friday in the Fishing With A Cop program at Camp Fort Hill. Organized by White Pigeon Police officer Jim Story and Michigan State Police trooper Matt Lackey, the 17th annual event included fishing, swimming and a meal of hot dogs and burgers cooked and donated by the …

A Three Rivers man died Thursday in a 1-car crash in Illinois. The victim was identified as 71-year-old Tom Quake. The crash happened on I-57 near Kankakee when Quake reportedly lost control of his convertible, and the car flipped several times. Illinois State Police say Quake was not wearing a seat belt.

A Sturgis man was airlifted to Borgess Hospital after the vehicle he was driving was struck by a utility trailer Tuesday in Fawn River Township. State police said James Ortmann was driving east on U.S. 12 when the trailer of a westbound vehicle driven by Sturgis resident Corey Roberts broke from the truck to which it was attached. The trailer …