News

A beautiful, nearly cloudless day welcomed participants to the Mackinac Bridge Walk today, likely a big contributor to an uptick in participation over last year. “We’re so glad to have had 26,000 people from across Michigan and beyond join us for this beloved event on such a perfect day,” said Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) Bridge Director Kim Nowack. “As anyone who …

A Sturgis man has been convicted of numerous charges stemming from an October incident that originated in Branch County. St. Joseph County Prosecutor David Marvin said Dylan Brand, 27, was found guilty by jury after a two-day trial in front of Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman. At mid-afternoon Oct. 22, Brand was armed with a stolen gun and fled from …

Here’s a look at this month’s Fresh Food Distribution in St. Joseph County. The first will take place at 4 p.m. Thursday at First Presbyterian Church in Sturgis. Next, Seventh-Day Adventist Church, east of Centreville on M-86, will host an event at 4 p.m. Sept. 13. Three distributions will occur Sept. 15. The first at 10:30 a.m. at Gateway Village …

A suspect wanted on an unspecified warrant managed to elude authorities during a standoff with officers over the weekend in Three Rivers. According to a department media release, officers were called around 5:30 p.m. Saturday in response to a wanted suspect located in the 1200 block of Hov Aire Drive. Police said the suspect barricaded himself inside an apartment unit. …

Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has been notified by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Laboratories of a confirmed case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in St. Joseph County. This discovery underscores the need for both horse owners and Michigan residents to take precautions. “We are reminding residents to take precautions to …

The next step regarding a White Pigeon landmark may involve a rarely used panel to potentially decide the fate of the historic building. St. Joseph County District Court Judge Jeff Middleton and the parties involved in the case of the Tasty Nut Shop met Wednesday to compare notes and decide what happens next. Through their attorney Roxanne Seeber, it was …

A Coldwater man pleaded guilty to drug-related offenses during a recent proceeding in Branch County Circuit Court Judge Bill O’Grady said 27-year-old Dylan Tompkins pleaded guilty to possession with intent to deliver meth and aggravated stalking. Sentencing on the 20-year drug felony and five-year stalking charge will be Oct. 10. With charges stemming from five drug sales, Tompkins came to the …

Through October 31, the U.S. Department of Education is offering public servants working in government and staff in eligible non-profits a second chance to qualify for student-loan forgiveness. This is a separate program than the broader Student Debt Relief Plan that President Joe Biden announced last week, State Superintendent Michael Rice said. The opportunity for student-loan forgiveness is an important …

Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport announced it will host another temporary TSA PreCheck Application Center. Residents of Southwest Michigan will be able to enroll in the PreCheck program at the airport Sept. 26-30. The program enables enrolled travelers to experience an expedited security-screening process. The “pop-up” office will be located in the airport terminal. Airport officials said the application process allows …

Two people were injured after a school bus was struck by a vehicle Wednesday in Cass County’s Wayne Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 6:43 a.m. to the intersection of Dewey Lake Street and Atwood Road. Investigators said a Dowagiac Schools bus driver, 40-year-old Benjamin Hoopes of Dowagiac, was traveling south on Atwood Road. The bus contained four Dowagiac students and another …