🌱 Three Rivers gathers Saturday to remember the life of John Sassaman

Hi Three Rivers! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Three Rivers gathers Saturday to remember the life of John Sassaman
• Will community pressure keep Three Rivers' Beacon Health & Fitness from closing?
• Community prepares to honor Marine veteran Durwood "Pork" Heath later this month

Today's riddle: What happened to the pregnant cat that ate yarn? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Partly sunny, warm and humid, with a high of 83 and low of 68 degrees.
• Wednesday: Humid with a thunderstorm, temps: high: 80, low: 64.
• Thursday: Sunny, nice and less humid, with a high of 76 and low of 51 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• John Sassaman, 55 – WLKM Radio 95.9 FM (wlkm.com) — Three Rivers is mourning the passing of 55-year-old John Martin Sassaman, a longtime American Axle employee remembered for his warmth, hospitality, and love of family. Visitation and services will be held Saturday, September 12, at New Hope Assembly of God on Buckhorn Road, giving friends and neighbors a chance to share memories and support his local family.
   

• Three Rivers community petitions to save local fitness center: 'Could have been more done' (wwmt.com) — Residents in Three Rivers are rallying to save Beacon Health & Fitness, which is slated to close at the end of September after years of financial struggles. A community petition with more than 150 signatures argues the center is an essential lifeline, especially for seniors, people with disabilities, and veterans who rely on its pool and programs and may struggle to travel farther.
   

• Durwood 'Pork' Heath, 91 – WLKM Radio 95.9 FM (wlkm.com) — A Leonidas resident with close ties to Three Rivers, 91-year-old Marine Corps veteran Durwood "Pork" Heath, has passed away in Three Rivers after a brief illness. Friends and neighbors can pay their respects at Eickhoff Funeral Home in Mendon on Saturday, September 26, before a later private military ceremony at Fort Custer National Cemetery.
   

📸 Around Three Rivers

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Three Rivers

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★ Featured events ★

Thursday September 24
• Vicksburg JV Football @ Three Rivers →
  Three Rivers High School, 700 6th Ave, Three Rivers
  6:30 pm

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Other local events

📣 Three Rivers Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Wednesday September 9
• DF Donuts with Grownups on the Playground
  Novi Community Schools Sturgis, MI 49091
  8:00 am
• SPS - Board of Education Policy Committee Meeting
  Sturgis Public Schools Sturgis, MI 49091
  9:00 am
• Wigglin' Wednesdays
  Nottawa Township Library Centreville, MI 49032
  10:00 am
• Wednesday Evening Book Chat
  Marcellus Township Wood Memorial Library
  6:00 pm
• 2nd Wednesday Evening Book Chat
  Marcellus Township Wood Memorial Library
  6:00 pm
• Craig Turner at The Outpost →
  Vandalia MI
  7:00 pm
Thursday September 10
• Story Time at Schoolcraft Library →
  Schoolcraft Community Library, 330 N Centre St, Schoolcraft
  10:30 am
• Elementary "Drive-In" Movie @ the VDL
  Vicksburg District Library Vicksburg, MI 49097
  3:30 pm
• Plainwell Girls JV Volleyball @ Vicksburg →
  Vicksburg High School, 501 E Hwy St, Vicksburg
  5:00 pm
• Edwardsburg JV Football @ Sturgis →
  Sturgis High School, 216 Vinewood Ave, Sturgis
  6:30 pm
Friday September 11
• Gobles Varsity Football @ White Pigeon →
  White Pigeon Jr/Sr High School, 410 Prairie Ave, White Pigeon
  7:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Sherwin-Williams posted a job opening for Customer Service Specialist in Three Rivers. Apply here.
• O'Reilly Auto Parts posted a job opening for Merchandising Specialist in Portage. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Three Rivers here.

🗞 Nearby News

Sturgis

• multiracial students made up 4.5% of St. Joseph County districts' student body in 2024-25 (sturgiscoldwaternews.com)
• Celebrating son Kevin's arrival, 21 years later (leadertelegram.com)

Portage

• Haverhill Elementary: 55 multiracial students enrolled in 2024-25 (kalamazootimes.com)
• One person is displaced after bathroom ceiling fan fire at Portage apartment (wwmt.com)
• Upcoming railroad crossing closures for track maintenance in Kalamazoo (wwmt.com)

Ok Three Rivers! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: She had mittens! (Thank you April M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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