Government

The minimum-wage rate in Michigan increased by more than $1 an hour with the start of the new year. According to state officials, the standard minimum wage rose from $12.48 per hour to $13.73 an hour. The adjustment is a move to increase Michigan’s standard minimum wage to $15 an hour by next year. Any non-exempt employees must still be …

Fabius Township has renewed a contract for law-enforcement services with St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department. According to Three Rivers Commercial-News, township officials agreed last month to continue the partnership for another three years. The new contract went into effect Thursday. Cost for one full-time, contracted deputy and vehicle is about $100,000 annually. That rate will increase by 5 percent next …

A Berrien County woman was injured in a one-vehicle crash last weekend in Cass County’s Wayne Township. Sheriff Clint Roach said deputies responded shortly before 11 a.m. Saturday to Twin Lakes Road, near Dutch Settlement Street, regarding a crash with injuries. Authorities said 61-year-old Buchanan resident Mary Cloud was driving north on Twin Lakes Road when she lost control of …

The 2025 “Firefighters for Santa,” a goodwill campaign organized by a pair of local fire authorities, was declared a success. In all, 27 families, including 68 children, received presents Monday from officials representing the Fabius-Park Fire Department and Three Rivers Fire Department. Started in 2006, “Firefighters for Santa” helps Three Rivers and Three Rivers-area families down on their luck with …

Sturgis City Commission members recently heard from a group of citizens concerned about vagrants near their businesses. Concerns centered on trash, theft, and a potential threat to women and children. Commissioners suggested staging a work session, during which a fair amount of time could be held to discuss the issue and potential solutions. Commissioner Jeff Mullins mentioned the city conducted …

A Three Rivers man was injured earlier this week following a three-vehicle crash in Cass County’s Mason Township. Sheriff Clint Roach said deputies were called at 6:45 a.m. Wednesday to an area on Old M-205 in response to a crash with injuries. Investigators said Parker Blake, 23, of Three Rivers, was driving west when the vehicle he was driving rear-ended …

In the Three Rivers mayor’s race, incumbent Tom Lowry was defeated by newcomer Angel Johnston. Johnston received 63 percent of the vote, while Lowry had 35 percent. Write-in candidate Nathan Walden garnered 1 percent. Lowry has served as the city’s mayor for 26 years. The other city commission seats were uncontested: incumbent Torrey Brown was the at-large candidate, incumbent Pat …

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is now involved in a seven-year-old Michigan missing person case. WWMT reported this week that the case centering on Sturgis resident Brittany Shank, 23, includes the federal agency. Shank disappeared in November 2018 after she and her boyfriend were involved in a car crash on Fawn River Road, according to investigators. Earlier this month, newly …

Authorities have released the name of the man killed in a motorcycle crash last Wednesday evening north of Three Rivers. 35-year-old John Paul Lewis of Three Rivers died after losing control of his motorcycle and striking the rear of another southbound vehicle on U.S. 131 near Flowerfield Road in Park Township. Lewis was pronounced dead at the scene. He was …

A Three Rivers man is dead following a motorcycle crash Wednesday night in St. Joseph County. Sheriff’s deputies were called to the scene around 8:30pm on US-131 near Flowerfield Road in Park Township. According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office, a black motorcycle heading southbound lost control and struck the rear of another southbound vehicle. The 35-year-old motorcyclist was …