News

Health advisory lifted for St. Joseph River south of TR

The city of Three Rivers, in consultation with the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency, has lifted the no-contact health advisory for the St. Joseph River. The advisory had been in effect for an area from the Broadway Street bridge to the South Constantine Street bridge. Municipal officials said residents can again use the St. Joseph River for recreational activities. Three …

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Fall leaf pickup in Three Rivers

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 …

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Wanted felon arrested in Sturgis

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 …

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Costume party in Colon this Saturday

The Colon American Legion will hold its annual costume party this coming weekend. The party will be on Saturday and will begin after the weekly Queen of Hearts drawing. Event organizer Mikeal Smoker said there were more than 40 participants last year and he hopes to equal that many if not more this year. Participants are asked to bring a …

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Three arrested in Sturgis assault

A 19-year-old man was assaulted by three people last weekend at a party store in Sturgis. Sturgis Department of Public Safety officials said the incident occurred at 10:30 p.m. Saturday at a business on North Nottawa Street at Hatch Street. Investigators said officers found the victim suffering from cuts on his face as a result of the attack. Three people, …

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Salvation Army Toy Shop looking for volunteers

Kalamazoo Salvation Army is hosting its annual Christmas Toy Shop in December and hopes to secure some help with the project. Oliver Knuth, volunteer coordinator with the agency, said slots are still available for toy sorting, toy shop set-up, toy shop table helper toy shop runner. Help is needed at the Salvation Army’s South Burdick Street location from Dec. 16 …

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Community corrections and courts receive grant funding

St. Joseph County Community Corrections and 45th Circuit Court were recently awarded a combined amount of more than $450,000 in grant funding to support critical, problem-solving courts and community corrections programs. Melissa Bliss, community corrections director, said the grants were provided by the State Court Administrative Office and Michigan Department of Corrections. Funds will enable the courts and community corrections …

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County commission approves public defenders

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners approved its roster of public defenders for the 2024-25 fiscal year. During their monthly meeting Tuesday, commissioners agreed to terms with Keith Stickley, chief public defender for St. Joseph County, who oversees the public defenders. Funding for public defenders costs about $1.1 million annually and is split between St. Joseph County and Michigan Indigent …

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Matching grant offered for playground equipment at Meyer Broadway

Fibre Converters of Constantine is offering a matching grant of up to $100,000 toward installation of new playground equipment at Meyer Broadway Park in Fabius Township. St. Joseph County Parks and Recreation Director Jaymes MacDonald said total cost of the project is $320,000. The county has already received a $77,000 grant and plans to provide in-kind services of nearly $40,000 …

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Commissioners take step toward courthouse renovation

St. Joseph County has reached uncharted territory regarding its plan to refurbish the 50-year-old courts building at the county courthouse complex. During Tuesday’s monthly board of commissioners meeting, the seven-member panel approved a plan to move the process from schematic-design phase to design-development phase. While the step is one of several before actual renovation starts, it marks the furthest St. …

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