News

Officials from school districts in Three Rivers and White Pigeon saw non-homestead millage renewals pass with ease Tuesday. In Three Rivers, nearly two-thirds of the 612 participating voters OK’d an 18-mill renewal levied to the tax bills of commercial and non-homestead properties. The millage generates nearly $3.7 million annually and represents about 15 percent of the district’s annual budget. White …

Smoother roads will be appearing in Sturgis over the next decade, as voters Tuesday supported a 3-mill increase dedicated to street improvements and sidewalk repairs. The 10-year millage is expected to generate about $6.7 million in all, thanks to voter support of the proposal, which passed by a 3-to-2 margin. Mayor Ken Malone said the 3 mills will appear on …

Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners were asked Tuesday to consider providing financial support to help establish a new animal shelter. Proposed as a jointly run operation between the county and the newly formed River Country Humane Society, the potential facility is being eyed at the 12-acre location previously occupied by Finnerman’s Farm and Garden Equipment site …

Assistance from the Michigan State Police Fugitive Team helped Sturgis Police take custody of a man wanted in connection with a domestic-battery complaint filed last month. Sturgis police said Geoffrey Hunt, 24, was sought in Sturgis and Three Rivers after the report was filed regarding an incident in the 1200 block of East Chicago Road. Sturgis investigators were advised Hunt …

A 65-year-old Kalamazoo woman was treated for injuries she suffered last week following a one-car crash in Flowerfield Township. Officials from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Donna Rees was driving west on M-216 when she said she swerved to avoid striking a small animal and drove off the roadway east of Bent Road. Witnesses told investigators they observed …

A motorcyclist and passenger participating in a memorial ride were injured after they were thrown from their cycle over the weekend in Mottville Township. State Police personnel said White Pigeon residents Darrell Niles, 49, and Annette Rink, 47, were injured after the motorcycle they were riding slid on loose gravel and overturned. The incident occurred at noon Sunday at Riverside …

The March unemployment rate in St. Joseph County decreased by half a percent compared to a month earlier. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 7.3 percent March unemployment rate was less than February’s 7.8 percent. Furthermore, the March unemployment rate was 1.9 percent less than the same month one …

A Sturgis Police officer suffered a leg injury after he was involved in arresting a subject at 4 p.m. Thursday. According to the Sturgis Police Department, the Cass County Parole and Probation Department asked Sturgis officers to check on a wanted subject likely at a residence in the 1500 block of Progress Street. An officer made contact with the 29-year-old …

Glen Oaks Community College President Gary Wheeler announced Steve Ryno as the recipient of the Shaheen Teaching Excellence Award, which recognizes a faculty member for innovation and quality instruction. A professor of communications, Ryno, 35, is the 29th recipient of the award. Ryno was named the winner of the award during the school’s 45th graduation ceremony, staged Friday in its …

Sunday’s 50th Mendon Dust-Off old-car show was declared a success by event organizers. With perfect weather on their side, organizers said more than 870 participants took part in the event’s golden anniversary, staged on the grounds of Mendon High School. Dan Mourey, president of Dust-Off co-sponsor Three Rivers Classic and Antique Restorers Club, said twice as many food vendors and …