News

St. Joseph County Animal Control is hosting a Halloween trick-or-treat and “Empty the Shelter” event later this week. Agency officials said the family-friendly event starts at 3 p.m. Friday and concludes at 6 o’clock. There will be a kids’ costume contest, scavenger hunt, Halloween coloring station, candy, treats and drinks. Participants will have the opportunity to spend time with the shelter’s adoptable …

The source behind a home explosion in Three Rivers last month has been identified by authorities. According to WWMT, the home in the 1500 block of 8th Street exploded due to butane, used to excrete THC from marijuana. Butane is extremely flammable and can explode if ignited, according to the police report. It was also reported that a small amount …

St. Joseph County Career and Technical Education Building Trades members recently broke ground on their next project: a new house on West Street in Three Rivers. Once complete, the house will benefit a family chosen by St. Joseph County Habitat For Humanity. The Oct. 14 ceremonial groundbreaking marked the start of what will be the eighth house since 2015 built …

Due to construction at the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office, entrance to the department’s lobby will be closed for almost 10 days starting next week. Sheriff’s department officials said the closure will start Nov. 2 and continue through Nov. 11. The department’s lobby will be closed to all business, including visitations, fingerprints and license-to-purchase permits. Anyone who finds a need …

Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education last week voted to take on the community’s Helping Hands program. Congress and Wenzel principal Vince LaPorte described the program as a service organization that provides food bags to Sturgis Public Schools students and their families. The bags contain non-perishable food items to ensure students have access to food over the weekends, he said. Midge …

MMAP is Michigan’s free, unbiased resource to help navigate Medicare and Medicaid. MMAP counselors help seniors identify insurance products that best meet their needs and lifestyle. These insurance programs include Medicare C plan, Medicare Gap Coverage plans, Part D prescription drug plans and Medicaid applications for those eligible. During Open Enrollment, now through Dec. 7 free counselors can be reached …

A 13-year-old Sturgis-area resident was struck by a car while waiting for a school bus early Monday in Fawn River Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies were called shortly before 7 a.m. to the area of Fawn River Road and Big Hill Road in response to a vehicle vs. pedestrian personal-injury collision. The driver was identified as a 16-year-old Sturgis …

A 50-year-old Cassopolis man drowned last week at a lake in Cass County’s Penn Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called around 7:30 a.m. Friday to an area at Belas Lake, where a kayak was located adrift at the northwest corner of the lake. The kayak was unoccupied but hunting and fishing equipment was floating near it. Authorities investigated …

St. Joseph County Sheriff Mark Lillywhite recently acknowledged citizens from three separate incidents for their acts of bravery and heroism. During a ceremony last week at the sheriff’s department, Lillywhite commended Rod and Tammy Chupp for their role in a May 1 crash at the intersection of M-86 and Nottawa Road in Nottawa Township. The Chupps rendered aid that likely …

Michigan State Police troopers responded to a two-vehicle, fatal crash last week in Branch County’s Sherwood Township. Troopers were called shortly before 1 a.m. Saturday to M-60, near Blossom Road. Investigators said 45-year-old Genesee County resident Mollie Royce was heading east on M-60 when her vehicle crossed the center line. It collided head-on into a vehicle driven by 56-year-old Billy …