The state is suing an Allegan County farm for allegedly dumping wastewater into a river that leads into Lake Michigan. According to WOOD-TV, attorney general Dana Nessel filed the lawsuit last week against the owner and operator of an alleged unpermitted, concentrated animal feeding operation, J&D Brenner Farms. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great …

Investigators in Branch County have labeled a fire in the Bronson area last weekend as an act of arson. Bronson Fire Chief Scott Wilber said the agency was notified at 1:30 p.m. Saturday about a grass fire near the intersection of U.S. 12 and Wheeler Road. The blaze eventually charred five acres of land before it was extinguished. Wilber said …

Brenda Holdren, age 68, of Three Rivers, passed away Thursday, February 29, 2024 at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born May 19, 1955 in Albion, the daughter of Gordon and Dagmar (Dean) Ketchum, and moved to Three Rivers 15 years ago coming from Ft. Myers, Fla. Brenda loved her family, loved animals, and was very outgoing. There …

“Voices of Hope and Recovery,” an annual program featuring speakers who have overcome drug addition, returns later this month. The Substance Abuse Task Force of St. Joseph County and Riverside Church are teaming up again to present the 2024 event. Program organizers said Voices of Hope and Recovery showcases speakers who prove it is possible to recover from substance abuse, …

Sturgis City Commission members last week approved two purchases for the municipality’s department of public safety. The department requested a new records-management system after its recent network suffered a series of critical failures. The commission approved $30,000 for Core Technology for 18 months of service of the Talon Incident Management System. Commission members also approved a $57,000 firearms purchase from …

A 16-year-old boy was injured in a one vehicle crash last week in Cass County’s Marcellus Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called to the intersection of Miller Road and Cranberry Street at 9:45 p.m. Feb. 26. Investigators found an unoccupied pick-up that had crashed into a grove of trees. Deputies said a teen from Marcellus was driving the …

Bertram G. Myers, age 85, of Sturgis, passed away Monday evening, March 4, 2024 at Optalis Health and Rehab in Three Rivers. He was born March 14, 1938 in Ohio, son of the late Kella and Alma (Scull) Myers. Bertram resided most of his life in Sturgis. He was a member of the Sturgis Evangelical Church and Eagles Lodge #1314. …

Firm Foundation Ministries in Centreville invites anyone wishing to learn more about an immersive poverty simulation to attend a free event next week. “The Cost of Poverty” experience is designed to offer a glimpse into the lives of low-income individuals and families living in St. Joseph County communities. An overview of the program starts at noon March 13 at the …

Jo Ann Johnson, age 87, of Sturgis, passed away Monday morning, March 4, 2024 at her home surrounded by her family. She was born September 18, 1936 in Coldwater, daughter of the late Charles and Margaret (Summner) Thompson. Jo Ann resided in Sturgis for the past 65 years coming from Coldwater, where she was a graduate of Coldwater High School …

Noreen Sidener, age 90, of Auburn, IN passed away on February 24, 2024 peacefully in her sleep. Noreen was born on June 25, 1933 to Lloyd Alexander Drummond and Ruth Martin in Constantine. After high school graduation (White Pigeon class of 1951), she began a brief career with Kirsh Manufacturing (Sturgis). In 1953 she married Richard Rodney Hyde in Sturgis. …