An agreement with six different St. Joseph County unions appears imminent. County administrator Teresa Cupp provided an update on the situation during Tuesday’s executive committee meeting. She said the county and the six unions – which represent about 60 people in all – have ratified the tentative agreements and the only action necessary is board of commissioners approval next week. …

Four people will likely be recommended to three different county panels next week. St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners discussed the potential appointments during their executive committee meeting Tuesday. Stephen Wolf is being recommended for the newly established Materials Management Planning Committee. Meanwhile, Fabius Township resident Eric Shafer is set to be re-appointed to the county’s Board of Public Works. …

Coldwater Police officers arrested two people over the weekend stemming from an issue related to the discharge of pepper spray. According to authorities, officers were summoned at 11 p.m. Saturday to a location on South Monroe Street after fielding a report of pepper spray used on subjects who were not identified. The two people arrested are charged with aggravated assault. …

Three Rivers municipal officials are moving forward with a plan to dismantle the Portage Plant Dam. During their twice-a-month meeting Tuesday, Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners agreed to partner with Portage Power Co. and pursue a state grant to finance an important step in the process. Lowry said funding would cover 90 percent of the $100,000 cost of a feasibility …

Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy has announced its “Force for Nature” fundraiser campaign was deemed a success. The effort raised in excess of $950,000, thanks to the generosity of more than 1,000 donors and a $250,000 challenge gift from several major supporters. Agency officials said nearly $800,000 of the money raised is unrestricted funding, with additional contributions to its Endowment Fund, Stewardship …

Sturgis Public Schools Superintendent Art Ebert said rumors of immigration officials removing students from its buildings by immigration officials are unfounded. According to the Sturgis Journal, Ebert released a statement Tuesday to address discussions on social media about students being taken from school by officials from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Ebert confirmed the rumors are false and that no …

A Sherwood Township man faces a number of charges related to child pornography. Branch County officials said Jerry Surber, 65, was arraigned this week and faces three felony counts of possession of child sexually abusive material. In addition, authorities have charged Surber with using a computer to commit a crime. The case was investigated by Michigan State Police beginning last …

Sturges-Young Center for the Arts has announced the return of its “First Fridays Karaoke” event. The Sturgis facility hosts karaoke this week, coinciding with the first Friday of the month. The entertainment starts at 8 p.m. and lasts until midnight. The 18-and-older event takes place in Union Room B. Meanwhile, next up on its “Cinema Circle Series” is the 1978 …

A pair of educators from St. Joseph County was recognized for their respective roles in Career and Technical Education in Michigan. The Michigan Association for Career and Technical Education honored Chad Spence and Adam Cloutier during a ceremony last week in Grand Rapids. Spence was named 2025 “New Teacher of the Year.” Spence served as CTE Public Safety instructor for …

Two dogs and many other animals perished in a house fire last weekend in Three Rivers. Fire Chief Paul Schoon said firefighters responded to a house fire at noon Sunday in the 600 block of Eighth Street. According to Schoon, firefighters arrived to witness heavy fire, with smoke coming out of the first-floor. Schoon said the homeowner was not present …