News

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating a single-vehicle, roll-over crash last week in Fawn River Township. The incident occurred around 11:30 Friday morning on Franks Avenue, south of Ivanhoe Street. Investigators said a 2006 Ford F-150 was traveling north on Franks Avenue when the driver, a 16-year-old boy from Sturgis, lost control. The vehicle went off the road and rolled …

St. Joseph County’s roster of public defender attorneys appears to be set for the 2022-23 state fiscal year, as the matter was discussed during last week’s board of commissioners’ executive committee meeting. Chief Public Defender Keith Stickley said the proposed eight-person roster is comprised of: Laurie Hines, John Bush, Rhonda Ives, Luke Nofsinger, Tim George, Paul Gipson, Melissa Hallack and …

A 50-year-old Indiana man was injured in a one-vehicle crash over the weekend in Cass County’s Jefferson Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly after 9 a.m. Sunday to the area of M-60 and Stone Lake Drive on the south side of Cassopolis. Investigators said a car driven by Michael Douglas II, a South Bend resident, was heading …

Organizers of Centreville’s annual Christmas parade and celebration are appealing to the public for help raising funds to benefit a local elementary school teacher. Centreville’s Hometown Christmas Committee, its Covered Bridge Days Committee and its Downtown Development Authority are teaming up to organize a raffle to aid Centreville Elementary third-grade teacher Linsey Wolff. Wolff last month was diagnosed with breast …

The Animal Rescue Fund of St. Joseph County is, once again, offering “Pet Pictures” with Santa. The opportunity to feature the family pet with Santa will be available noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Three Rivers Lions Club, 420 Sixth Ave. Cost is $10, with each additional pet $2 more per pet.

One of two local high school football teams survived the latest round of playoffs over the weekend. In Division 2, eight-man competition, Mendon hosted Morrice on Saturday and came away with a 30-14 win. The Hornets will head to the Superior Dome in Marquette for a state-final showdown against Upper Peninsula juggernaut Powers North Central. It defeated Marion, 36-12, also …

Michigan State Police troopers have announced the return of a holiday program to help local families in need. The 14th annual “Stuff A Blue Goose” Christmas food and toy drive will take place at Sturgis, Three Rivers and Coldwater Walmart stores next month. Event organizers said advance notice of the event is being made so prospective donors have the opportunity …

U.S. Sen. Gary Peters has provided an update about new Department of Veterans Affairs resources available to Michigan veterans. Peters said he is proud to have helped pass the “Honoring Our PACT” Act into law to ensure veterans and their survivors can obtain health care and benefits through the VA. Peters said he has traveled across Michigan to raise awareness …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating the theft and crash of a stolen vehicle in Branch County’s Bronson Township. According to a department media release, troopers were dispatched shortly after 10 p.m. Saturday to a single-vehicle crash in the curves of Holmes Road, just north of U.S. 12. The vehicle, a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado, was reported stolen from an address …

A two-month bridge project in the Centreville area wrapped up last week. Michigan Department of Transportation officials said the M-86 bridge over the Prairie River reopened this week after construction limited access to one lane at a time. A timed traffic signal monitored eastbound and westbound vehicles. Work centered on correcting dips before both approaches to the bridge. MDOT officials …