Southwest Enforcement Team arrested a man during a drug raid last week in St. Joseph County. SWET members conducted the raid Nov. 21 at a Three Rivers residence. The suspect, a 41-year-old Three Rivers man, already had warrants out for his arrest. Detectives found psilocybin mushrooms, hundreds of unknown pills, suspected stolen property, and evidence the man was dealing meth …

Sturgis police arrested a 53-year-old man on drug-related charges last week following the execution of a search warrant. Sturgis Public Safety Director Ryan Banaszak said officers followed through on the search warrant around 8 p.m. Wednesday in the 600 block of South Park Street. According to a department media release, 12 ounces of methamphetamine were found within the residence. The …

Free Ride Home, a program sponsored last week by St. Joseph County Transportation Authority, drew a total of 17 participants. CTA executive director Allen Balog said the seven-hour program started at 7 p.m. Wednesday to benefit Thanksgiving Eve revelers. Balog said 10 of the patrons rode the Sturgis-based bus while seven took advantage of the bus positioned in Three Rivers. …

Concerns over lead-polluted water in Three Rivers were voiced at last week’s city commission meeting. WWMT is reporting that city officials and community members have been discussing this issue ever since homes in the area tested positive for lead in August. However, Mayor Tom Lowry said it’s not so much a local issue but more so a nationwide issue. Lowry …

A commercially and residentially underserved area of Centreville will soon include a new apartment development and a retail development featuring a self-serve laundry facility. What will ultimately be a 54-unit apartment complex on the west end of town is situated on the south side of M-86. Though much further delayed in development, a different and unrelated project has cleared hurdles …

The Diaper Bank program serving St. Joseph County has been extended through September 2024. Department of Health and Human Services’ Lori Williams said there have been several changes in the guidelines and regulations. For example, age requirements have been lifted; the service can now be provided to any age child and pull ups are now an option; and senior citizens …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer last week joined advocates, doctors, faith leaders and state leaders to sign the Reproductive Health Act. The package of bills repeals restrictions on abortion care that criminalized nurses and doctors, forced health care providers to close, raised costs for patients and restricted access to abortion. The Reproductive Health Act builds on efforts to expand access to abortion in Michigan after the …

A jury has convicted a Cass County man of sexual assault following an August 2022 incident at his Dowagiac residence. Prosecutor Victor Fitz said Robert Schmeltz, 58, was convicted earlier this month. He was found guilty of third-degree criminal sexual conduct. According to court testimony, Schmeltz was arrested after assaulting a 65-year-old woman working in the capacity of a home …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating the larceny of a catalytic converter from a vehicle in Branch County’s Coldwater Township. Investigators said the incident occurred that occurred between Nov. 13 and Nov. 17 in the 600 block of Chicago Street. The catalytic converter was stolen off a 2008 Ford Cutaway work truck.

Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce, Centreville Downtown Development Authority and municipal officials welcomed Nottawa Gas to its new location last week. A ceremonial ribbon cutting Friday afternoon commemorated the relocated business, which moved from its 29-year spot in Nottawa Township near the northwest corner of M-66 and M-86. It is now in Centreville’s business park, at the east end …