St. Joseph County sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of stolen property last week in Mottville Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies were called around 7 a.m. Thursday to the 10000 block of U.S 12. Investigators found that a 2006, dark green Subaru Outback with Ohio registration was stolen. In addition, vehicle parts and shop equipment were taken from the …

Sturgis City Commission members recently approved a bid to renovate restroom and locker facilities at Doyle Community Center. Upgrading the men’s locker room facilities at Doyle had been planned and budgeted as part of the fiscal year’s capital improvement plan. The commission accepted the sole base bid of $95,500 submitted for the work from Brussee/Brady, as well as two bids of $10,500 and …

Denise Ann Baldwin Bellew, age 52, born March 11, 1969, died Thursday, July 2, 2021 at Borgess Hospital of congestive heart failure. Denise met Michael Bellew in 1985 and the two were married. She is survived by two children, Carol Ann (Jorge) Hemenway of White Pigeon, and James Lee Bellew of Constantine. Denise grew up in Three Rivers on Douglas …

The number of COVID-19 Delta variant cases in Branch and St. Joseph counties continues to increase, according to the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency. As of June 30, the agency is aware of nine confirmed cases in Branch county and five in St. Joseph county. All three vaccines are effective against the virus by reducing the severity of symptoms and …

Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce has announced a grand opening of its new headquarters. Chamber executive director Christy Trammell said the chamber’s location at 1116 N. Main St. will be the site of a public open house 3 to 6 p.m. July 26. Trammell said beverages, snacks and giveaways will be available to commemorate the event. A ribbon-cutting ceremony …

The Sturgis Historical Museum At The Depot has re-opened. The recent opening marks the first time the museum has kept regular hours since the conclusion of the 2019 season. In 2020, the pandemic limited community access. Featured attractions created for 2020 remain on display because so few people had the chance to experience them last year, said Jenifer Blouin Policelli, …

Members of the Three Rivers Health Authority Board voted earlier this week to support a member-substitution agreement with Beacon Health System. The step is one of many necessary for the proposed partnership between Three Rivers Health and the Indiana-based health system. The potential agreement now awaits approval by the Three Rivers Health Board of Directors, as well as the blessings …

St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department and Covered Bridge Healthcare are proposing an agreement regarding the use of a vacant county building. During their executive committee meeting Wednesday, county commissioners fielded input from Sheriff Mark Lillywhite and CBH director Rick Shaffer. Lillywhite said the proposed agreement centers on the former parks and recreation department headquarters, south of the county’s central dispatch …

A 2021 Three Rivers High School graduate received statewide recognition this week for her softball prowess. Coming off a record-setting season, Kali Heivilin was named Gatorade’s Michigan Softball Player of the Year. Heivilin made a name for herself by slamming a state-record 29 home runs during the 2021 season. She finished her COVID-shortened varsity career with 66 homers, seven short …

The first graduate of Amanda’s House, a women’s transition home in Three Rivers, was recognized during a celebration Tuesday. Carissa Kerschner, 24, completed the program requirements during her 12-month stay at Amanda’s House. She and her 7-year-old daughter will be moving to an apartment and a fresh start await Kerschner. A surprise Tuesday was the gift of a car, provided …