Animal Rescue Fund of St. Joseph County recently reached a financial milestone. Over the course of its 23-year existence, ARF has helped fund $500,000 in services and assistance, said Loralee Knepper, a charter member of ARF. Knepper, a Mendon-area resident, said ARF has a small-emergency program but its main focus and biggest outlay has been spay/neuter, which accounts for the …

St. Joseph County United Way Executive Director Kelly Hostetler said the agency is in need of help for its 2021 Silent Auction at the upcoming county fair. The Silent Auction is a major fundraiser for the Centreville-based agency, Hostetler said. In addition to the option of attending the Silent Auction in person, the United Way has teamed with ReMax Elite …

Wade Lavoris Baugh III, (affectionally called Lil Brain Bleap), age 60, died on July 8, 2021. Wade was born in Brooklyn, New York to Wade and Ernestine Baugh. In 1975, the family moved from Chicago to Three Rivers for a better life. Wade was energetic and the life of the party, with a big smile and a booming personality. Lil …

Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport has been awarded a Small Community Air Service Development grant of $1 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Craig Williams, airport director, said the grant will be used as a revenue guarantee and marketing tool to recruit and support an air carrier for nonstop service to Charlotte, N.C. The SCASD grant is an important tool …

St. Joseph County authorities have identified the Sturgis man who died in a traffic collision last week in Florence Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said Florin Gavril Olarean, 47, died after the motorcycle he was driving was struck by a Ford F-150 at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in an area on Lutz Road near Dickinson Road. Investigators said Olaraen was driving a …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating a motor vehicle theft that occurred last week in Constantine Township. Investigators said the incident occurred between 7 p.m. Friday and 7 a.m. Saturday. The vehicle was taken from a residence in the 15000 block of Connie Street. It is a 2004 Mercury Monterey, bronze in color and has a broken reverse light on …

I’m waiting to be adopted and go to a new home.  I am Margaret, and I am about 3-4 years old.  I will need my spay surgery when I go to my home.  I am tan and white.  When I came into this place I was very shy, but now I am getting acquainted.  I am beautiful and smart, if I …

New coronavirus cases spiked in Michigan during the week ending July 18, rising 23.1 percent as more than 1,600 cases were reported. St. Joseph County reported eight cases and zero deaths in the latest week. A week earlier, it had reported 12 cases and no deaths. Throughout the pandemic, St. Joseph County has reported 6,276 cases and 101 deaths. Throughout Michigan, …

A vehicle was stolen this week from the property of a residence in Mottville Township, authorities said. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies were called to the 69000 block of Union Street, where the victim reported that a 1998 Dodge Ram was stolen around 3 p.m. Monday. The vehicle is gray and features a Michigan license plate of ELM9007.

Demolition of a longtime Park Township icon started Monday. Work crews began removing what’s left of the former Parkville dam from the Portage River. The process involved a backhoe and its bucket used to knock down the first of four concrete walls near the mouth of the mill race. Michigan Department of Natural Resources officials said the project is expected …