State Police said a Stihl brand backpack-style leaf blower was taken Between Monday and Thursday from a residence in the 24000 block of Butternut Drive in Sherman Township.

FirstMerit Bank has confirmed the closure of two of its St. Joseph County branches, in Colon and White Pigeon, effective June 3. Colon’s branch operation will become consolidated with the Sturgis branch. Officials could not confirm how many employees are affected, but all have been retained and offered positions at other locations, said Rob Townsend, media relations officer for FirstMerit …

Michigan apple growers say recent mild weather doesn’t pose a threat to this year’s crop. Most of the state’s apples were ruined in 2012 when March temperatures soared above 80 degrees for several days, causing apple trees to blossom early. Frosty nights the next month killed the buds. Temperatures have been up and down the past couple of weeks, at …

  An agent with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives credits Michigan State University veterinarians with saving his K-9 partner’s life in late January. Jeff Perryman of DeWitt rushed Ike, a 7-year-old German shepherd, to an after-hours clinic where he underwent surgery for a twisted stomach when he first became ill around Jan. 22 while the two …

Monnie Hartmann, 97, a former Three Rivers resident, passed away on February 21, 2016 in Dunedin, Florida. She was born on August 10, 1918 in Bremen, Indiana. She was married to Norman Hartmann, who preceded her in death in 1978. Together, than owned and operated Hartmann Heating, Air Conditioning and Plumbing, which was located in downtown Three Rivers. Monnie is …

A 38-year-old Cass County man was arrested Tuesday after leading authorities on a vehicle chase and foot chase before being apprehended after breaking into a residence. Detectives conducting surveillance in the community of Union noticed a suspicious vehicle near the intersection of U.S. 12 and Kessington Street. The driver of the vehicle drove several miles before abandoning the car outside …

The Michigan House this week approved a state grant to make the Dodd Park Water Trail in Cass County more accessible. State Rep. Aaron Miller said the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant is included in House Bill 5377 to install new, barrier-free fixtures at the trail. The $277,000 project development grant is one of 44 such recommendations made by …

A Kendallville man accused of stabbing a Walmart employee last week in Sturgis remains in the St. Joseph County Jail. Randy Alan Decker, 48, is charged with one count of attempted murder, one count of armed robbery and two counts of resisting/obstructing a police officer. His bond was set at $1 million. The incident occurred just before 1 p.m. Friday. …

Jerry L. Perry, age, 75, of Burr Oak, passed away Monday March 7, 2016, at the Select Specialty Hospital in Battle Creek. He was born Aug. 16, 1940, in LaGrange County, Ind., A son of the late Neal and Helen (Mecklenburg) Perry. Jerry was a lifelong resident of Burr Oak and a 1958 graduate of Burr Oak High School, where …

A tax refund from the state of Michigan could require more than just filing a return. The Treasury Department says it wants to protect taxpayers from identity theft. Some taxpayers will receive a letter asking them to confirm their identity through a short online quiz. Refunds will be released in 14 to 21 days if the identity is confirmed. Treasurer …