A Dowagiac man died in a motorcycle accident earlier this week in Cass County’s Calvin Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly after 5:30 a.m. Monday to Calvin Hill Street near North Shore Drive. An initial investigation shows a truck was turning out of a driveway to go west on Calvin Hill Street when it was struck by an eastbound …

In a field crowded with worthy nominees, Kelli Lusk stood slightly above all others as the recipient of this year’s, “Jeanette Schirs Recognition of Kindness to Animals” award. Bestowed by the Animal Rescue Fund of St. Joseph County, the award was presented to the 31-year-old Sturgis-area resident during the organization’s annual mostaccioli dinner and live auction fundraiser Saturday at Three …

Cases of chlamydia and other sexually-transmitted diseases are rising in the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph County area, according to 2016 data. Lauren Vogel, medical officer at the tri-county agency, said HPV exposure remains the most common sexually transmitted infections, with chlamydia being the most frequently reported disease. Vogel during last week’s department board meeting, said St. Joseph County showed 207 cases reported in 2016 …

Dyana Suzanne Higley, age 65, of Three Rivers, died Monday, April 30, 2018. She was born in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada on May 16, 1952 the daughter of Donald P. and Sheilah (Ryder) Wilder. She graduated from Arthur Voaden High School in St. Thomas and later from Fanschawe College in London, Ontario. She has been a permanent resident of the …

A Grand Rapids-area native currently working in Lelenau County has been selected as the new superintendent of St. Joseph County’s second-largest school district. Ron Moag was chosen Monday by Three Rivers Community Schools Board of Education. After four candidates were interviewed in the past month, board members narrowed the list to Moag and Jonathan Whan. Moag, who grew up in …

A reckless driver who was on drugs when his pickup truck crashed into a pack of bicyclists, killing five, was convicted of second-degree murder Tuesday in southwestern Michigan. Charles Pickett’s trial lasted just a few days in Kalamazoo County. There was no dispute that he had swallowed painkillers and other drugs before driving, although his lawyers argued that murder charges …

Bradley J. Conrad passed away in his home as he wished in Kalamazoo, early in the morning of Saturday, April 28, 2018. Brad was born on February 14, 1954 in Three Rivers, to Galen and Betty (Miller) Conrad. The cause of death was Congestive Heart failure and Pulmonary Disease. He also suffered from Lung Cancer. Brad was a graduate of …

Norman James Rivers, age 87, of Three Rivers, passed away on Friday, April 27th, 2018 at the Rose Arbor Hospice Center.  Norm was born on February 15, 1931 in Detroit, the son of the late John F. and Lillian (Stainsby) Rivers. Norm graduated from Cooley High School, Detroit, in 1949 where he lettered in baseball and football and was a …

While taking a lunch break at home a week ago, I thought I’d watch a little TV while enjoying some cantaloupe. “The Price is Right” was on at the time, so I decided to watch and see how close I came to guessing the price on some of the items. I couldn’t help but notice how excited most of the …

March’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 March unemployment rate marked a decrease from February’s 4.1 percent. St. Joseph County was below the state unemployment average, which was 4.6 percent in March. …