Branch and St. Joseph counties are in a severe drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor report issued last week. With heavy early spring rains, drought conditions are not yet a problem for farmers but could get worse as summer progresses. The drought is also serious for home gardeners who must water to maintain growth. Jeff Andresen, an agricultural meteorologist …

A motorcyclist injured over the weekend in a Leonidas Township crash has died. State police investigators said the man, whose age and identity were not immediately released, lost control of the motorcycle he was driving Saturday afternoon on northbound M-66 at Jacksonburg Road. Witnesses said the driver lost control of his motorcycle, crossed the center line and was thrown from …

The treasurer of Vicksburg Rocket Football has been charged with embezzling more than $30,000 from the youth program. FOX News 17 said Ashley Schippers was arraigned Monday on one count of embezzlement. The news channel reported the Vicksburg Rocket Football director indicated to police that the program’s treasurer had embezzled money from the program. When confronted by the board, Schippers …

A Burr Oak woman was arrested earlier this week on drug-related offenses following a traffic stop in Burr Oak Township. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman said the traffic stop occurred shortly before 10 p.m. Tuesday on Big Hill Road, near Kelly Road. During the stop, deputies located methamphetamine and suspicious pills inside the vehicle. Bingaman said deputies further discovered that the pills …

Here we are!  We came in together.  We are bonded together and do so want to be adopted together.  Please, OH Please, adopt us together.  We are current on our vaccinations.  We have both been “fixed.”  I am Judah, the white one and I am so sweet right off the bat.  I am Riley and I am quiet at first, …

Supporters who vowed to save the 159-year-old Tasty Nut Shop building in downtown White Pigeon have grudgingly accepted the fact it will meet its fate within the next year. Over the course of an hour Tuesday evening, short- and long-term precautions to keep the building and its vicinity safe were discussed by White Pigeon Construction Board of Appeals. Eventually, talk …

A Three Rivers-area woman was arrested last week after she refused to exit a house and subsequently set it on fire in Sherman Township. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman said deputies responded Friday to a residence in the 67000 block of Ottawa Drive to assist Branch County authorities in locating a wanted subject. Bingaman said deputies approached the residence and attempted to …

The first of a four-part summer series sponsored by the Three Rivers Public Library takes place in July. The July 11 event is “A Taste of History: Suds and Civilization, a Social History.” It will be held 5:30-6:30 at Useless Creatures Brewing Co. in Three Rivers. On July 18, the library will host “Discover Falconry.” It, too, will be from …

A three-member panel decided Tuesday that wording of petitions seeking the recall of four White Pigeon Township Board members lacked clarity. As a result, the petitions to recall supervisor Don Gloy, treasurer Trudy Gloy, and township trustees Jean Tefft and Vince Schroen were rejected. The matter was fielded by the St. Joseph County Election Commission, whose members – Probate Court …

Centreville Public Schools Superintendent Chad Brady received an encouraging evaluation of his first year as the district’s highest-ranking employee. During their meeting Monday, Centreville Board of Education members rated the 46-year-old Brady highly effective for the 2022-23 academic year. The board agreed to extend Brady’s contract one year, keeping him on board through the 2025-26 academic year. Brady was also …