St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded over the weekend to a report of an accidental shooting in Mendon Township. Central Dispatch fielded a call Sunday from a person in the 24000 block of Pinhook Road. Deputies arrived to learn a 46-year-old man was placing a loaded pistol into a safe. The firearm fell to the ground and discharged a …

A Cass County woman was arrested on a drug charge last week. Sheriff Clint Roach said deputies and members of the Cass County Drug Enforcement Team, along with the Dowagiac Police Department, recently executed a search warrant in the 200 block of West Railroad Street in Dowagiac. While they were searching the residence, authorities found several stolen items, along with …

A Sturgis landmark is closing for business by the end of the week. WOOD-TV reports the Strand Theater, which has been a staple in the community for more than 60 years, is for sale. It will close at the end of the day Wednesday. Third-generation owner Eric Saitz did not elaborate on the decision to close. He said, however, that …

Personnel from White Pigeon Township Fire Department rescued a person who fell through ice last week. Department officials were called Wednesday morning to an area of Klinger Lake, where central dispatch received a report of a person in the lake. Fire personnel managed to rescue the victim. Meanwhile, two other people who were on the lake with the victim managed …

Pivotal and representatives from the group Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors wish to remind the public about their standing support-group meetings. In-person group sessions are held 5 to 6:30 p.m. the second Monday of the month at the Three Rivers Pivotal office, 1020 Millard Street, and 8:30 to 10 a.m. the fourth Thursday of the month at the Sturgis Pivotal …

September’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County decreased by 1 percent from August. 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 5.4 percent in August to 4.4 percent in September. The county’s September rate from a year earlier was 4.8 percent. Meanwhile, Cass County also …

Members of the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department recently took part in an annual holiday event with local children. “Shop With a Cop,” which also involved personnel from Three Rivers Police Department, Sturgis Police Department and Michigan State Police, occurred Dec. 13. The Three Rivers event took place at Three Rivers Walmart. Nine Three Rivers children benefitted from the experience. …

Sturgis municipal officials recently OK’d a franchise agreement with a company to provide recycling services. During last week’s city commission meeting, a three-year pact was reached with Borden Waste-Away. According to terms of the contract, cost for the service is $6 per unit per month for the first year. Adjustment by 3.5 percent or the Consumer Price index – whichever …

A Sturgis-area woman was sentenced last week in connection to the death of her 2-year-old daughter. Paige Bohne, 22, appeared Thursday before judge Paul Stutesman in St. Joseph County Circuit Court. Bohne was sentenced to at least 18 years in prison on one count of first-degree child abuse and at least four additional years on one count of assault with …

Representatives from Gracepoint Church in Sturgis said the facility has opened an overnight warming center. The option was made available Friday last week, as temperatures dropped to single digits. Church officials said Gracepoint’s Facebook page will include more information during future cold spells and whether it will be able to offer overnight shelter from the elements. The church is located …