State Rep. Aaron Miller has announced a pair of upcoming opportunities to meet with him at locations in Cass County. Miller on June 30 will be at the Council on Aging in Dowagiac, from 11 a.m. to noon. Miller will then be at Zeke’s, also in Dowagiac, from 2 to 3:30 p.m., also on June 30. Miller said a big …

Three Rivers police are seeking community assistance to identify a suspect wanted for several cases of retail fraud. Police say the man is a black male in his late 40s. He is wanted in connection with several retail frauds in April and June. Thefts exceeded $ 1,000 in merchandise. Meanwhile, Michigan State Police are asking the public for help to …

A jury has found two defendants guilty of murder in the shooting death of an 18-year-old Elkhart man.  Nineteen-year-old Freddie Rhodes and 17-year-old Deante Dalton were convicted Monday after their attorneys declined to call witnesses to testify. They each face up to 65 years in prison.  Rhodes and Dalton were found responsible for the death of Dre Tarrious Rodgers under …

Organizers of an annual run and walk in memory of a fallen White Pigeon soldier have released details about the 2015 event. The 1Lt. Jonathan Edds Memorial Classic 5K and 1K run and walk takes place July 11 as a part of White Pigeon Days. The sixth annual event is a fundraiser to support the Edds Foundation, which awards cash …

A Sturgis man was not injured in a two-vehicle accident that sent three people to the hospital last week in Cass County. Sheriff’s department deputies said Scott Yoder, 38, was attempting to turn left onto U.S. 12 from M-217 when he failed to yield the right of way to an eastbound car driven by Joanne Mead, 57, of Edwardsburg. Mead …

State Rep. Aaron Miller last week praised Gov. Rick Snyder for signing a fiscally responsible budget that increases funding for classrooms and continues to build a solid public-safety foundation. Miller, chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State Police, said the 2015-2016 budget pays down debt while prioritizing spending for transportation, education and law enforcement. Miller said the budget, after …

The week-long Sturgis Fest community celebration continues with a blood drive, today’s only scheduled event. The blood drive takes place 12:30 to 5:45 at the Doyle Community Center. Wednesday’s main feature is Family Night, 5 to 8:30 p.m. at Franks Park. Activities will include carnival games, a dog contest and an old-time baseball game at 6:30.

St. Joseph County’s newest recreation-related attraction is open for business, as the dog park at Meyer Broadway Park in Fabius Township was dedicated Friday. The fenced-in, five-acre property is divided into a four-acre area for larger dogs and one acre for smaller dogs. Parks and recreation director Jaymes MacDonald said pet owners will have to use their best judgment but …

Mr. Joshua Brady Leason, age 32, of Okemos, MI., passed away suddenly on Sunday, June 21, 2015 at the University of Michigan Hospital. He was born on April 8, 1983 in Mishawaka, IN., the son of David Leason and Lori (Juroff) Maggert. Josh grew up in Dowagiac, Michigan graduating from High School in 2001. He attended Central Michigan University where …

Darren Robert Shepard, age 29, of Three Rivers, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, June 11, 2015 at his home. He was born on Sept. 13, 1985 in Three Rivers to the late David J. Sr. and Sandra K. (Bainbridge) Charon. Darren was also preceded in death by his grandparents William and Mardith Bainbridge. He leaves to cherish his memory, brothers, …