News

A Three Rivers man will face life in prison after a St. Joseph County Circuit Court jury returned a verdict of guilty on five counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct last week. The three victims were ages 3 and 5 when the assaults took place in Burr Oak. Demetrius Ivory, 45, will be sentenced July 1 to a minimum of …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating the larceny of a motor vehicle that occurred earlier this week in Branch County’s Coldwater Township. The incident happened Tuesday night in the 100 block of North Behnke Road. Authorities said the vehicle stolen is a 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche. It is maroon in color.

A fundraiser to support Constantine’s Fourth of July fireworks display is taking place this weekend. The sixth annual Chief James Bedell Memorial Fourth of July Fireworks Fundraiser starts at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Joe Valley Golf Club in Nottawa. Registration is $50 per person. Prospective participants can register their own foursome or be placed in a group. The fee …

Here’s a summary of the upcoming “Kid Zone” attraction at next week’s Three Rivers Water Festival. The free, community event takes place 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 18 at Scidmore Park. It features a juggling workshop led by Joel Tacey, Amazing Mike the Magician, Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary, a dunk tank, face painting, Rick the Balloon Guy, Kids Workshop sponsored …

“Movies in the Park” summer series begins this week in downtown Sturgis. A showing of “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is featured at 7 p.m. Friday on North Street, between U.S. 12 and John Street. Presented by Sturgis Downtown Development Authority, this marks the third year of the seasonal outdoor showings, said Ryan Conrod, event coordinator. Prior to …

Four local school districts have started offering “Meet Up and Eat Up” breakfast and lunch programs this week. Burr Oak offers breakfast 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and lunch 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. weekdays at the high school. Colon Elementary hosts breakfast 8 to 8:30 a.m. and lunch noon to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Breakfast at Constantine High School …

State police troopers were alerted to the theft of a motorcycle last week in Florence Township. According to an agency media release, troopers were dispatched to the 63000 block of Burgener Road regarding the incident. Authorities said the theft took place at 4:15 a.m. Friday and was captured on surveillance video. The stolen motorcycle is described as a 2004 Harley …

Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce has announced Sturgis “Citizens of the Year” for 2022: Cathi Garn-Abbs and Mike Stiles. Garn-Abbs is best-known as executive director of Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce, a role she began in 2000. She also worked at Kirsch for many years prior to that. According to one nominating letter, she was, and still is, “the face of Sturgis,” pertaining to her …

Abbott Nutrition reopened its production operations at its Sturgis plant over the weekend following a closure of nearly four months. The FDA-mandated closure came in the wake of bacterial infections among infants who consumed powdered formula produced at the Sturgis plant. Two infants died. Abbott officials said it will prioritize production of formulas for babies with food allergies and digestive …

Rehabilitation of a bridge in Colon Township is starting this week. The St. Joseph County Road Commission said a bridge on Wattles Road, between Stowell and West Burr Oak roads, will be fully closed during the rehabilitation. The work is expected to begin today and detour options are posted.