A demolition more than 20 years in the making started around 10 a.m. Tuesday, as crews began leveling the old Three Rivers Hospital. A team from Dore & Associates of Bay County used the bucket end of an excavator to start the process. City manager Joe Bippus said weather may play a role in the projected timeline, but he said …

Three members of the St. Joseph County Grange Fair Board survived a recall attempt. Tony Hochstetler, Gary Clark and Tricia Ulsh were targeted for their part in the October dismissal of former fair manager Missi Tefft. During the Fair Association’s annual meeting Monday, an anonymous, paper vote was taken to determine the trio’s fate. Though “yes” votes in favor of …

The Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce last week recognized its members through the annual chamber awards dinner. The first award recognized outgoing 2022 chamber president Matt Scheske. Meanwhile, the 2022 honorary board member award went to Leonard Eishen, who served as chamber president in the early 1980s. The Phoenix Award was given to The Sparrow House, accepted by Libby Hooley. …

Members of the St. Joseph County Intermediate School District Board of Education agreed to apply for a school resource officer grant. ISD superintendent Teresa Belote said the competitive grant is worth $25 million across the state of Michigan. It requires grantees to provide a 50 percent cash match for approximately three years. Belote said she spoke to St. Joseph County …

Michigan State Police troopers have announced the return of a holiday program to help local families in need. The 14th annual “Stuff A Blue Goose” Christmas food and toy drive will take place at Sturgis, Three Rivers and Coldwater Walmart stores next month. Event organizers said advance notice of the event is being made so prospective donors have the opportunity …

U.S. Sen. Gary Peters has provided an update about new Department of Veterans Affairs resources available to Michigan veterans. Peters said he is proud to have helped pass the “Honoring Our PACT” Act into law to ensure veterans and their survivors can obtain health care and benefits through the VA. Peters said he has traveled across Michigan to raise awareness …

My name is “Sharkie.” I am an intact male mixed breed, and I am housetrained. I know SIT. I’m very gentle, not rough at all when I play. I like other dogs, and I am very curious of cats. I’m really hoping to find my forever Ho-Ho-Ho-Home for the holidays. My docket number is 53558, at the St. Joseph County …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating the theft and crash of a stolen vehicle in Branch County’s Bronson Township. According to a department media release, troopers were dispatched shortly after 10 p.m. Saturday to a single-vehicle crash in the curves of Holmes Road, just north of U.S. 12. The vehicle, a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado, was reported stolen from an address …

A two-month bridge project in the Centreville area wrapped up last week. Michigan Department of Transportation officials said the M-86 bridge over the Prairie River reopened this week after construction limited access to one lane at a time. A timed traffic signal monitored eastbound and westbound vehicles. Work centered on correcting dips before both approaches to the bridge. MDOT officials …

A Sturgis felon will spend at least five years in prison for leading authorities on a high-speed chase that included a stretch of roadway in downtown Sturgis. Dylan Brand, 27, was sentenced last week by St. Joseph County Circuit Judge Paul Stutesman to a period of five up to 17 years. Brand turned down a plea bargain for a five-year …