News

The Three Rivers Main Street Design Committee invites community members, organizations, and businesses to roll up their sleeves and take part in Community Cleanup Day. The annual, downtown tradition is coming up Saturday. Event organizers said participants should meet at 8:30 a.m. at the DDA office on North Mai Street. Volunteers need to sign in and receive their assignment. Cleanup …

St. Joseph County Sheriff Chad Spence said his agency is warning the public about a phone scam. Spence said the department has received reports of a recurring scam in which callers pose as deputies or officers of law-enforcement agencies. The scammers falsely identify themselves as a department employee and often use the actual name of legitimate deputies. The scammers appear …

Cass County sheriff’s deputies responded to a fatal crash over the weekend in Penn Township. Sheriff Clint Roach said the incident occurred around 8 a.m. Saturday in the area of Mud Lake Street and Penn Road. Authorities were called to the scene in response to a single-vehicle crash with injury. Investigators said a 71-year-old man was driving a vehicle east …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating a two-vehicle collision involving a pickup and a school bus. Authorities said the incident occurred Wednesday afternoon and involved a Sturgis Public Schols bus with students aboard. Sturgis Superintendent Art Ebert said the crash happened in the 28000 block of Fawn River Road in Fawn River Township. According to security video, the pickup did …

March’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County decreased by three-tenths of a percent from February. Figures from the monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget show St. Joseph County’s unemployment rate fell from 5.8 percent in February to 5.5 percent in March. The county’s March rate from a year earlier was 4.5 percent. Meanwhile, Cass …

A Vicksburg baseball legend was remembered over the weekend during a rededication ceremony. Coach Ed Knapp, a community activist who coached Vicksburg varsity baseball for 35 years, was remembered Saturday. He died in October at the age of 88. Current head coach Brian Deal oversaw the re-dedication ceremony before the school hosted its inaugural, three-team “Ed Knapp Memorial Baseball Tournament.” …

An RV manufacturing site in Sturgis will close in June, resulting in the elimination of 121 jobs. According to WTVB of Coldwater, Elkhart-based Heartland Recreational Vehicles filed a “Warn Notice” this week with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, relating the details of the layoff. Heartland is known for its selection of towable recreational vehicles and travel trailers. …

Three Rivers German Band is in search of new members. Members of the niche band said it welcomes anyone from high school through retirees. The band is an opportunity for experienced musicians to continue their affinity for musical instruments. Rehearsals begin at 7 p.m. May 7 at the county’s Commission on Aging, 1200 W. Broadway St. More information is available …

After a proposal to outsource law enforcement, Allegan municipal officials decided they will keep its police department. WWMT-TV said after strong community opposition and a review of a possible agreement with the county sheriff’s office, Allegan city officials announced Wednesday they have scrapped a proposal to disband the Allegan Police Department and replace it with county deputies. City Manager Joel …

A former Paw Paw Public Schools secretary, arrested for allegedly stealing $27,000 from Child Care Resources, could face years in jail. WWMT-TV said Danielle Taylor, 34, of Lawrence, was charged with one count of identity theft and one count of financial transaction device. Prior to Monday’s arraignment, Portage Police Department investigated a fraud complaint in November after Child Care Resources …