Government

An area high school varsity football team in Michigan High School Athletic Association’s playoffs was defeated over the weekend in a semi-final contest. Schoolcraft High School saw its 10-game win streak snapped and its season conclude Saturday in a 38-7 loss to Monrose St. Mary Catholic Central. The Eagles finish their season with an 11-2 record. St. Mary, meanwhile, is …

St. Joseph County Road Commission Manager John Lindsey received a positive review and contract extension in the wake of his annual job-performance evaluation last week. Following a closed session at the conclusion of their twice-a-month meeting Wednesday, road commission board members said Lindsey was offered and accepted a two-year contract extension. It expires at the end of 2026 and will …

Cass County Sheriff’s deputies responded last week to a larceny complaint from a business owner in Newberg Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said investigators were summoned Nov. 12 to Pro Dock Inc., located on M-60, west of Jones. Following an investigation, authorities executed a search warrant Thursday in the 24000 block of North Shore Drive in Cass County’s Ontwa Township. A 45-year-old woman …

Two of three local high school varsity football teams bowed out of the state playoffs last weekend. The surviving team – Schoolcraft High School – will attempt Saturday to continue its march to Ford Field for a potential state title. In 8-man, Division 1 action last weekend, Mendon came up short in a 49-32 defeat at Deckerville High School. The …

St. Joseph County Undersheriff Jason Bingaman will maintain his current job title the next four years, but in a different county. Bingaman, whose term as undersheriff in St. Joseph County concludes Dec. 31, has been chosen to serve as undersheriff in Branch County under its sheriff-elect, Fred Blankenship. Currently Branch County Sheriff Department’s jail administrator, Blankenship will begin his term …

The biggest prize up for grabs Tuesday in St. Joseph County was claimed by Nottawa resident Kevin Kane. Kane, 46, was the top vote-getter in the contest for St. Joseph County Probate Court judge. His opponent for the six-year, non-partisan position was Three Rivers native Kelly Ward. Kane will replace 73-year-old David Tomlinson, who has aged out after a 12-year …

Three Rivers begins its fall leaf pickup today. Final collection dates by district are: Dec. 9, Third District; Dec. 11, Fourth District; Dec. 13, Second District; and Dec. 16, First District. City officials said leaves should be in the street and not in the yard. Brush, sod, bricks, rocks, trash or other materials should not be included. Municipal officials said …

A wanted felon was arrested last week by Sturgis Department of Public Safety. City officials said they had been attempting to locate the suspect and on Oct. 11, officers noticed activity at the suspect’s residence. After a period of surveillance, officers observed the suspect get into the passenger seat of a vehicle leaving the residence. Officers conducted a traffic stop …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating the larceny of multiple items from a construction site in Lockport Township. Investigators said the incident took place between 1 p.m. Monday and 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in the 18000 block of South Fisher Lake Road. Multiple items were damaged or stolen from the property, including items containing copper wiring, authorities said.

Three Rivers Community Schools Superintendent Nikki Nash issued a letter to district families regarding alleged threats made last week. The district closed Thursday and Friday in response to the threats. Nash said the decision was made to not open as a precaution. She said district officials are working closely with law-enforcement authorities and an independent investigation has been conducted. Nash …