News

The executive director of the Twin County Community Probation Center was recently announced as the 2024 recipient of St. Joseph County Bar Association’s Liberty Bell Award. Tom Miles was chosen, in part, for his several years of service to the citizens of St. Joseph and Cass Counties. A Three Rivers High School graduate, Miles holds a diploma from Western Michigan …

March’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County decreased by one-tenth 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 4.2 percent in February to 4.1 percent in March. The county’s March rate from a year earlier was 4.4 percent. In addition, …

State Rep. Steve Carra will face a challenge from two candidates in the August primary for the 36th House District seat. With the filing deadline passing last week, Carra is seeking a third and final two-year term. Carra lists a Three Rivers apartment as his primary address. Meanwhile, Burr Oak Township resident Michael Malmborg and Sturgis’ Frank Perez have filed …

U.S. Sen. Gary Peters recently issued a media release centering on the United States Postal Service. He called the agency “absolutely critical” to the country and noted there are serious consequences if the service is disrupted. Peters said USPS is making significant changes to its processing and distribution network in several locations, including Michigan. He said the Upper Peninsula is …

Strong winds proved to be a nemesis to firefighters attempting to extinguish a blaze at the St. Joseph County Fairgrounds Saturday, according to Centreville Fire Chief Dave Miracle. One merchant barn, Building 42, was destroyed and two additional suffered exterior damage, he said. Central dispatch alerted Centreville Fire at 4:11 p.m. Miracle said he noticed flames on the roof and …

St. Joseph County Clerk/Register of Deeds Lindsay Oswald has opted to not seek re-election to a third, four-year term. Oswald, 44, said she withdrew her candidacy Thursday, leaving Mendon Township’s Gina Everson as the only Republican candidate for the position in the Aug. 7 primary election. Oswald succeeded 45-year county employee Pattie Bender as county clerk in June 2015. In …

Sturgis Mayor Frank Perez announced this week he is running for state representative. At the end of Wednesday’s meeting, Perez said he is running for state representative in the 36th District, which covers all of St. Joseph County and a portion of Cass County. The incumbent is Steve Carra. Perez said his decision to run has been part of an …

Six county positions will feature contested races this summer, as the deadline to file for the August primary election was Tuesday. What might be considered the most high-profile race features five candidates seeking to replace Mark Lillywhite as sheriff. The roster of Republican candidates features Dennis Allen, Jason Bingaman, Joseph Bingaman, Chad Spence and Gordon Evilsizor. Three people are vying …

Troopers from the Marshall State Police Post are looking for the owner of a military surplus portable generator. The item was found April 15 near the intersection of Fremont and Central roads in Branch County. The item can be claimed by contacting state police at 269-558-0500.

A Porter Township man recently won a $1 million Powerball prize from the Michigan Lottery. Cain Bice, a resident of Union in Cass County, matched numbers of the five white balls drawn April 6. Bice said he purchased his ticket online through MichiganLottery.com. Bice said he purchased more Powerball tickets than usual, as its top prize for that drawing was …