Kalamazoo Diocese Bishop Edward M. Lohse, a number of St. Edward’s Catholic Church dignitaries and more than 60 people gathered Monday for the blessing of a new section of cemetery in Mendon. The area is south of the church’s current cemetery and large enough to accommodate 770 graves, church officials said. The land was purchased by a parishioner’s family and …

A number of appointments and re-appointments were made during Tuesday’s St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners meeting. The seven-member board appointed Thomas Sikorski to the newly created Materials Management Planning Committee, Elena Meadows to the St. Joseph County Planning Commission, Raul Morales to the Pivotal Board (formerly Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of St. Joseph County), and Joe …

A Branch County man was injured last week after a propane tank exploded at his residence. Sherwood Fire Department personnel were called just before 7 a.m. Friday to a home on Blossom Road, west of Ralston Road, in response to a man suffering burns on his hands, face and head. The 70-year-old victim told authorities he was attempting to light …

Shipshewana’s holiday tradition, Lights of Joy, is returning this year with more lights than ever before, making it one of the biggest drive-through light experiences in the region. More than two million LED lights will illuminate a nearly two-mile route filled with holiday scenes, traditional Christmas stories, lighted arches and animated displays. The 2024 event begins Friday and runs through Dec. …

A Three Rivers Community Schools bus was involved in what district officials called a minor incident last week. The crash occurred Friday morning. According to the district’s social media, no one was hurt and the school arranged for another bus to get its passengers to school while notifying families of students involved. The district conveyed its thanks to everyone who …

Charges are being sought for a father whose 3-year-old died in August after being left in a car at a Vicksburg supermarket. Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday it is seeking charges of child abuse by leaving a child in a vehicle resulting in death. The child died Aug. 13 in a car parked at the Family Fare grocery store …

A St. Joseph County teenager has been awarded a $2,000 pre-college scholarship through Michigan State University. St. Joseph County 4-H officials said eighth-grade student Bella Webb is the recipient. Students in eighth to eleventh grades for 2024-25 who attended an MSU summer pre-college program in the summer of 2024 were eligible to apply for the award. Webb participated in 4-H …

Former St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough was arrested last month on an alcohol-related charge. According to the Three Rivers Commercial-News, the 44-year-old McDonough was arrested on a charge of operating while intoxicated – second offense – shortly before 10 p.m. Oct. 30 in Three Rivers. The Commercial-News stated a vehicle allegedly driven by McDonough was stopped on West Michigan …

St. Joseph County Intermediate School District Superintendent Teresa Belote recently won a notable prize as part of a random drawing. A pool of more than 200 names were in a so-called “impact drawing” conducted by Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators. MASA Impact uplifts Michigan communities by supporting school leaders in initiatives that make a difference. Thanks to the win, …

St. Joseph County Diaper Bank has announced the dates of its upcoming distribution cycle. Stephanie Zann, Great Start Collaborative coordinator, said the 2025 Diaper Bank Grant has taken a cut for the current fiscal year and, as a result, there will be a reduction in the number of events offered. Distributions are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 12, March …