A Branch County man was arrested last week and charged with five counts of criminal-sexual contact. Sheriff Fred Blankenship said 32-year-old Ryan Schlueter was arrested after a warrant was issued May 3 in Girard Township. The investigation stems from a report filed by a juvenile and her mother, alleging a sexual assault with Schlueter allegedly occurred at an undisclosed date …

Officials from Menard’s said the Three Rivers location is closed indefinitely as it continues to recover from the March 6 tornado. The EF-2 tornado followed a line that included Menard’s in its path. A partial re-opening took place last month but the store was forced to close April 20 until all repairs can be made. The store lost a good …

March’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County decreased by two-tenths of a percent from February. 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 4.5 percent in February to 4.3 percent in March. Its rate in March 2025 was 5.2 percent. Meanwhile, Cass County also experienced …

Southwestern Michigan College recently introduced its ninth president. Klint Pleasant has 28 years of experience in higher education, ranging from enrollment management and athletics, to student retention and community relations. He most recently served as senior vice-president of Oakland County-based Rochester Christian University. Pleasant addressed an audience April 24 at a reception hosted by Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce.

A 33-year-old Battle Creek man was sentenced up to five years in prison for his role in the 2024 death of a 2-year-old Sturgis Township child. Frederick Nelson, boyfriend of Paige Bohne, was sentenced Friday after pleading guilty to the common-law offense of accessory after the fact in the suffocation death of Octavia Bohne. St. Joseph County Probate Judge Kevin …

Glen Oaks Community College and the Glen Oaks Community College Foundation announced that Richard Wedemeyer has established the Wedemeyer Student Support Fund. Wedemeyer kick-started the foundation with a $100,000 endowed gift to help students facing unexpected financial hardships remain enrolled and continue their education. Annual distributions from the endowed fund will provide financial assistance for essential expenses not covered by …

Here’s a traffic advisory for anyone planning to drive in Kalamazoo County. Starting this week, there will be significant traffic-pattern changes and delays on South Sprinkle Road from S Avenue north to Zylman Avenue in Portage. First, Sprinkle Road will be closed to northbound traffic between the two roadways. That stretch will be a one-way route for southbound traffic. Also, …

Here’s a look at May’s Fresh Food Distribution events in St. Joseph County. 4 o’clock Tuesday at Seventh-Day Adventist Church, east of Centreville on M-86. 4 p.m. Thursday at First Presbyterian Church in Sturgis. Its address is 1320 S. Lakeview Ave. 9 in the morning Saturday at the Huss Project, on 8th Street in Three Rivers. 3:30 May 19 at …

St. Joseph County Conservation District officials have good news and bad news to share regarding the 2026 river cleanup program. Agency director Carolyn Grace said the state grant that supports the four-times-a-year cleanup was not extended this year. Nonetheless, Grace said the conservation district plans to self-fund the events to support what will be the 16th summer of river cleanups. …

A 45-year-old Edwardsburg man died Wednesday after he was shot in an exchange of gunfire with law-enforcement personnel in Cass County’s Jefferson Township. Sheriff Clint Roach said deputies responded midday to the 29000 block of Davis Lake Street. A caller to central dispatch reported a man at the residence was at the front door and armed with a handgun. The …