A residential unit in Constantine was destroyed by fire earlier this week. Constantine Fire Chief Mike Haydon said crews were dispatched shortly before 1 a.m. Wednesday to the 200 block of West Water Street. Meanwhile, Michigan State Police troopers arrived on scene and found that all residents were safely outside the residence. First-arriving fire units found the structure fully consumed …

Here’s a summary of bridge projects currently or soon to be active in the city of Three Rivers. Bridge rehabilitations in 2023 are comprised of 5th Avenue, West Hoffman Street and Broadway Street. Bridges will be closed based on the following schedule: 5th Avenue, through May 13. West Hoffman Street, also through May 13. Broadway Street, through June 16. Total …

I am orphan “Annie”.  I am a mixed breed, quiet girl.  The people here think I am about one and a half years old.  I am housetrained, I get along with other dogs and I love to give hugs and kisses.  I enjoy walks.  My docket number is 54878 at the St. Joseph County Animal Control; 652 E. Main (M86), …

A Three Rivers man was sentenced to as many as 15 years in prison for his 10th conviction of drunken driving. Jeremy Tomlinson, 41, was sentenced to a minimum of 37 months and a maximum of 15 years Monday during proceedings in Branch County Circuit Court. Tomlinson pleaded guilty to felony operating under the influence of alcohol as a fourth-habitual …

Two Cass County entities were recipients of grants issued through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. In all, 31 recipients shared grants from a pool of $2 million as part of the agency’s Neighborhood Enhancement Program. Funding is to be used to supplement innovative neighborhood-housing initiatives that make a positive impact in low-to-middle-income areas. Examples include exterior rehabilitation, housing enhancements, …

March’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County decreased by three-tenths of a percent from February. Figures from the monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget show St. Joseph County’s unemployment rate fell from 5.1 percent in February to 4.8 percent in March. St. Joseph County’s March 2022 unemployment rate was 3.8 percent. In addition, Cass …

Sturgis Hospital is taking the next step to converting to a rural emergency hospital model. Jeremy Gump, hospital board president, told the Sturgis City Commission last week that as of 7 a.m. today, the hospital will cease admitting inpatients. The announcement was made to hospital employees April 25, Gump said. Emergency services and lab services will continue, Gump said. In …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident that occurred within the past week in Branch County’s Coldwater Township. Investigators were called to the 600 block of Marshall Road, where the victim stated a blue, 14-inch Cobalt chainsaw, and a red, 14-inch Craftsman chainsaw were stolen from a barn. The incident occurred between April 23 and April 27.

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has received reports of cases of Lyme Disease within its three-county jurisdiction. Health officer Rebecca Burns said the arrival of spring and warmer temperatures experienced in March and early April tend to cause ticks to become more active. Ticks will remain active until fall or when temperatures are consistently below 40 degrees. A bite …

St. Joseph County Bar Association has announced the recipient of its annual “Liberty Bell” award. Kelly Hostetler will be recognized next week as the 2023 award winner. Hostetler has been executive director of the St. Joseph County United Way since September 1998. She was involved in the merger of the Sturgis United Fund and the Three Rivers Community Chest to …