The River Country Recreation Authority has announced the completion of the Meyer Broadway Park Trail, connecting Three Rivers HealthTRAC with Meyer Broadway County Park. An opening celebration will be held in Spring 2022, but the trail is open for use. The trail is the culmination of years of effort that ultimately led to the formation of an authority, which required a …

The St. Joseph County Commission on Aging has received nearly $6,000 from Area Agency on Aging as part of a grant supporting a program called “No Wrong Door System” It is a technology grant for COA members to use a variety of devices in its Sturgis and Three Rivers centers to help combat social isolation, bring virtual access to people seeking supports and services, and develop innovative services. Agency director Pam Riley …

A Branch County man was sentenced to at least 30 years in prison for his role in the sexual abuse of a 9-year-old girl. Peter Casey, 30, was sentenced recently, along with 37-year-old Shannon Moore of Kalamazoo. Casey was sentenced on six different offenses. The case began in March 2019 when the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children followed …

Two St. Joseph County farmers are participating this week in state-level, leadership-development programs sponsored by Michigan Farm Bureau. It provides “Young Farmer” members, ages 18-35, with several competitive opportunities to hone their talents and measure themselves against peers from across the state. Riley Brazo and Marcia Cripps, both of Sturgis, will represent the organization’s five-county southwestern region in the final …

St. Joseph County commissioners recently approved budget amendments to benefit the sheriff’s department. During their Nov. 16 meeting, commissioners OK’d a $62,000 adjustment for a policy-review service called Lexipol and an additional $65,000 to cover expenses related to a renovation project. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said the renovation centers on the former St. Joseph County Parks and Recreation Department headquarters. The …

A process that was typically a routine matter in years past was approved earlier this month by St. Joseph County commissioners after an inordinate amount of attention. The roster of public defenders, whose members serve as court-appointed attorneys through 2022, was OK’d by the board Nov. 2. The matter drew a second look this year after former prosecutor John McDonough …

Several reports of breaking-and-entering into automobiles were made from Flowerfield Township early Monday. State police said troopers fielded multiple reports of items stolen from vehicles parked in driveways in the early morning hours. A specific area was not indicated in a department media release. The stolen items included two guns, money, identification, wallets and purses. All vehicles involved were unlocked …

Sheriff’s deputies are investigating the theft of gas from vehicles parked at a location in Nottawa Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies responded to a report of gas stolen between Wednesday and Thursday from vehicles and tractors parked in the 27000 block of Prairie Corners Road.

St. Joseph County United Way is collecting new or gently used winter coats, hats, gloves and boots. Agency officials said items can be dropped off at the United Way’s office in Centreville. If coats need cleaning, they can be left at Ludders Cleaners in Three Rivers or Sturgis. More information is available from the United Way, at 269-467-9099.

A 40-year-old Constantine man was sentenced to prison last week on charges of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. Michael Paul Miller will serve 10 to 30 years after pleading guilty to the charge and as a habitual offender following a series of incidents with an underage girl that ended in 2020. Miller had previously denied anything happened with the now-14-year-old girl until …