Government

Sheriff Chad Spence reports that in the early hours of Tuesday, March 31, 2026, deputies responded to the 400 block of North Swan Street in Colon for a report of a missing 5-year-old child. A search was conducted, and the child was located unconscious in a stream between Palmer Lake and Sturgeon Lake within the Village of Colon. Lifesaving measures …

The Three Rivers Fire Department has issued an advisory, asking residents to not burn yard waste or tree debris. Department officials said burning brush and yard waste has the potential to lead to uncontrolled fires caused by dry grass, leaves and vegetation. The risk is compounded on windy days, fire personnel said. Residents may dispose of organic yard waste at …

Cass County Sheriff Clint Roach said an Indiana man died last week in a one-vehicle crash in Jefferson Township. Roach said deputies were called at 4:45 p.m. Wednesday to Oil City Road, south of M-62. Investigators said a vehicle driven by 66-year-old Mishawaka resident Todd Willingham was heading south on Oil City Road when it left the roadway and crashed …

Constantine village officials have chosen the winners of the recent “Village Creed” essay contest. Mary Mcleroy won the adult category and the essay compiled by Aydin Weinberg was chosen as winner of the 18-and-under category. Both were given a $200 cash prize. Their submissions were chosen by a panel of community leaders. Participants were encouraged to detail community-based core concepts …

Emergency personnel continue to respond to a tornado touchdown in the City of Three Rivers, Fabius Township, and areas east and northeast of the City of Three Rivers. The National Weather Service is working to determine the rating of the tornado. Search and rescue efforts are ongoing, but should be completed today. Residents are urged to avoid the affected areas …

Six governmental entities in St. Joseph County will soon receive tax revenue collected from marijuana sales in Michigan. According to the Michigan Department of Treasury, tax funds collected through sales at recreational marijuana dispensaries are to be distributed to 114 cities, 39 villages, 81 townships and 75 counties throughout the state. In St. Joseph County, Sturgis and Three Rivers – …

Investigators from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department have released the identity of the woman who died in a camper fire last weekend in Lockport Township. Sheriff Chad Spence said the victim is 67-year-old Juanita Kimble, a Three Rivers-area resident. Spence said emergency personnel were dispatched late Friday to the 57000 block of Mitchell Street, near the Three Rivers airport, …

The Sturgis Department of Public Safety was dispatched Wednesday evening to the corner of Hatch and Maple streets in Sturgis in response to a structure fire. Crews extinguished a fire that had engulfed a two-story house and attached garage. North Nottawa Street was closed to allow water lines to be added to support tanker trucks at the scene.

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 …