News

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer included families who lost loved ones in distracted-driving vehicle crashes to a signing of legislation intended to keep drivers safe. The legislation will make Michigan roads safer for drivers, bicyclers, and pedestrians by ensuring drivers have their full attention on the road with the use of hands-free technology, state officials said. The “Distracted Driving Prevention” bill signing took place earlier this week in Plymouth.

A Sturgis woman died in a single-vehicle crash earlier this week in Fabius Township. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman said deputies responded at 2:30 a.m. Tuesday to a report of a crash with injury near the intersection of U.S. 131 and King Road. Investigators said an SUV driven by the victim was traveling north on U.S. 131. Authorities said it exited the …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident that occurred last month in Mottville Township. Troopers were called to the 13000 block of Anderson Road, where a break-in occurred during overnight hours between May 21 and May 22. Authorities said suspects attempted to break into a pole barn on the property and cut a lock on a gate to …

A team of volunteers from Three Rivers spent Saturday morning lending a hand at St. Joseph County Animal Control. Sheriff’s Department Captain T.J. Baker said the workers were from Beacon Health and sent a team of eight volunteers, who put in about four hours of work. Baker said the group painted an assortment of structures and tidied up animal control’s …

A Grand Rapids man who had been reported missing has been found deceased in Cass County. Sheriff Richard Behnke said a team of more than 50 volunteers found the body of 76-year-old Johnny Bolden. It was located Sunday in a heavily wooded area, about a mile from where his car was found in Pokagon Township. Bolden had been reported missing …

St. Joseph County Undersheriff Jason Bingaman filed paperwork last week, making official his candidacy for sheriff. Voters will choose from a growing field of contenders in the August 2024 primary election to succeed Mark Lillywhite, who is not seeking re-election. Bingaman joins Dennis Allen, Chad Spence and his cousin, Joe Bingaman, as candidates for the role. Bingaman said he expects …

White Pigeon Township Library has a slate of events and activities on tap in coming weeks. First, its summer reading program starts Monday. Then, on June 14, the Potawatomi Zoo – including Larry the Sloth – will pay a visit June 14. Finally, the popular “Summertime Tunes” 2023 program kick-off starts at 6 o’clock June 21, featuring The Whistle Pigs, …

Two champions for area youth have been named Sturgis 2023 citizens of the year. The Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce announced Monday that Debby Mathis and Ken Mills were selected from a pool of candidates. Mathis, a longtime Sturgis resident, served 24 years at Sturgis Public Schools as an elementary school counselor. Outside of education, Mathis was a charter member …

Here’s a reminder that the St. Joseph County Conservation District is staging the first of its four river cleanup events next week. Volunteers are still being sought for Monday’s cleanup of the St. Joseph River in Leonidas Township. Work will start at 9:30 a.m. from Farrand Road to Jacksonburg Road. Volunteers should show up by 9:15. Grace said water, snacks …

Von Metzger was appointed Monday to the Sturgis Township supervisor seat, succeeding longtime leader George Morse. Metzger was appointed the head of the five-member board by a vote of the board. He will fill out the term through the end of 2024. Should he decide to run in his own right, Metzger would appear on the primary ballot in August …