The Sturgis firefighter arrested Tuesday was arraigned Wednesday afternoon. Joshua Jason Snyder, 36, is being held on $40,000 bond after he was charged with one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count CSC third degree and two counts CSC fourth degree. The alleged encounters began in November of 2013 and continued into this month. Investigators also found sexually explicit …

  Hi. We are Sammy and Goldie, two male cats about 5 years old. Sammy is orange and white and Goldie is all orange. We came in together because our owner is sick. We have already been neutered and we are litter-trained. We love to be petted and are pretty quiet and calm. We surely would like to stay together, …

  A former educator who worked in four area school districts waived preliminary examination Tuesday on three counts of alleged criminal sexual conduct involving young men. The case against Three Rivers resident David Wing, 59, was bound over to St. Joseph County Circuit Court for trial. No trial date has been set, pending a pretrial status conference. Wing is charged …

Michigan peach farmers are harvesting a significantly smaller crop than usual this year after an especially severe winter.  The Detroit Free Press reports the U.S. Agriculture Department forecasts that the state’s crop will be down about 50 percent from last year. Extreme cold wiped out most peach buds in Macomb, Oakland and Lapeer counties last winter.  The state harvested 41 …

Roy Charles Meadows, age 69, of Three Rivers passed away on Friday, August 22, 2014 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born in Forrest City, AK on December 15, 1944 the son of Freddie R. and Ethel I.(Arnold)Meadows. Roy served his country honorably during the Vietnam War. Roy was also employed as an electrician for Day International …

Leon F. Scritchfield, age 75, of Mendon, passed away Monday, Aug. 25, 2014, at RiverviewManor in Three Rivers.Leon was born Dec. 4, 1938, in Riddleburg, Pa., a son of the late Ross andMildred (Heister) Scritchfield.On May 16, 1964, he married Carol Orchel in Leonidas. She preceded him in death in 1997.He had moved to Mendon as a youngster and had …

If you’re paid the minimum wage, you’re likely getting a pay increase next Monday. It follows recent action by the Michigan Legislature, and the governor. The state’s minimum wage will increase from the current $7.40 per hour to $8.15 per hour on September First. The state’s minimum wage was last increased six years ago. Under the new law Michigan’s minimum wage will increase eventually …

  A member of the Sturgis Fire Department was arrested Tuesday on multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said details of the matter originated from an alleged inappropriate relationship with a female that allegedly started when the suspect was teaching a class at Sturgis High School. The Sturgis Fire Department administration earlier this month …

  A Cassopolis resident was injured following a single-vehicle accident Tuesday morning in Jefferson Township. Cass County Sheriff Joe Underwood said John Bright, 58, was traveling west on M-60 near Daily Road shortly after 6 a.m., when an oncoming vehicle crossed the centerline and entered his lane of travel. Bright was forced to take evasive action, and his vehicle left …

  An Illinois man hospitalized since a near-drowning incident in a Cass County lake last weekend has died. Cass County officials said Abdi Adan, 24, of Wheaton, died at 1:20 p.m. Monday at South Bend Memorial Hospital. His death was attributed to the near-drowning he suffered Saturday at Dewey Lake in Silver Creek Township. Deputies determined that Abdi was not wearing …