Two St. Joseph River locations are expected to soon feature ADA-accessible canoe and kayak launches. St. Joseph County Administrator Teresa Doehring said she and parks and recreation director Jaymes MacDonald last week opened sealed bids for the projects. Action on the bids was not necessary at the time by county commissioners. If approved, the handicap-accessible developments would be at Reed …

A Bristol man was injured last weekend following a hit-and-run incident in Cass County’s Porter Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said the accident occurred at 8:35 a.m. Sunday, when 30-year-old Erick Prouty was driving west on U.S. 12 near Sunset Boulevard. He swerved his vehicle off the road to avoid an eastbound car that was illegally passing in a curve. Prouty’s …

April’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County was four-tenths of a percent lower than the previous month. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed the county’s 3.7 percent April unemployment rate marked a decrease from March’s 4.1 percent. St. Joseph County equaled the state’s unemployment average for the month. The agency said payroll …

Here’s the weekly update from Michigan Department of Transportation regarding its work on the U.S. 131 reconstruction project in Three Rivers. Single-lane closures remain in effect for northbound and southbound routes. Meanwhile, median curb islands and pavement widenings are to be paved this week, later than originally scheduled due to rain delays last week. Also, crews are continuing utility work …

An arrest was made last week following an incident in which a Cass County sheriff’s deputy was dragged a short distance by a suspect trying to flee in a vehicle from authorities. Sheriff Richard Behnke said the situation unfolded shortly after 11 p.m. Thursday, when deputies responded to an in-progress theft of a travel trailer on Savage Road in Marcellus …

Michelle McNamara, professor of communications at Glen Oaks Community College, has been selected to receive the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Suanne Davis Roueche Faculty Conference Scholarship. McNamara is one of five recipients in the nation to receive the award, which reflects NISOD’s mission of promoting and celebrating excellence in teaching, learning and leadership at community and technical …

Sandra “Sandy” Jean Swartzentruber, age 77, of Mendon, passed away in the early hours on Wednesday, May 22, 2019 surrounded by her loving family. She was born on December 15, 1941 the daughter of Frances and Helen (McElvain) Truckey. Sandy was a long-time resident of Mendon, having graduated from Mendon High School in the class of 1959. She retired from …

Lyle E. Thrasher, age 85, a lifelong resident of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday, May 22, 2019, at his home, with family by his side. He was born June 15, 1933, in Sturgis, a son of the late Ambrose and Hazel (Bordner) Thrasher. On June 25, 1960, he married Mary L. Persails. Surviving are his wife, Mary; two sons, Alan (Renae) …

Dixie L. Melchi, age 77, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday morning, May 22, 2019, at her home, with her family at her side. She was born Sept. 11, 1941, in Sturgis, a daughter of the late Kenneth and Irene (Abbs) Thompson. Dixie resided in Mattawan for 30 years. The rest of her life was lived in Sturgis, where she was …

A 31- year-old Dearborn Heights man is in the St. Joseph County jail on several assault charges. Robert Brueck faces charges of attempted murder, home invasion, possessing body armor and several other weapons offenses, according to authorities. Investigators said Central Dispatch responded around 6:30 a.m. Wednesday to a home in the 62000 block of Youngs Prairie Road in Constantine Township to …