News

St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department officials have identified the Three Rivers man who died in a house fire last month. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said Perry Durwood Ballett, 91, was unable to escape from the Fabius Township residence. Lillywhite said deputies were made aware of the fire shortly after 8 o’clock Jan. 29 in the 14000 block of Coon Hollow Road. …

Three Rivers Community Schools officials learned this week that students currently in sixth and seventh grades will be attending their respective eighth-grade academic years at Three Rivers High School. Superintendent Nikki Nash told board members Monday the displacement is due to upcoming renovations at Three Rivers Middle School. The school is in line for a $17 million upgrade that will …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating the theft of a motor vehicle from a location in Park Township. State police officials said the vehicle was taken after 5 p.m. last Friday from the Car Factory, a business on U.S. 131. The vehicle is a white, 2021 Dodge Charger. It has a black gas-cap cover and black rims. A window on …

Officials behind the Three Rivers Promise are looking for the community’s support of its upcoming 5K run/walk later this spring. All proceeds from the second annual event – scheduled to take place April 15 – will benefit the Three Rivers Promise. The walk and run will start and end at Armstrong Park. Cost is $25 for 5K early registration and …

Sheriff Mark Lillywhite has released details regarding a recently concluded investigation that led to weapons-related charges against a Sturgis man. Lillywhite said deputies responded last month to a residence in the 71000 block of Balk Road in Sherman Township to conduct a felony warrant arrest involving firearms. Once on scene, deputies arrested a 45-year-old man from Sturgis. Through further investigation, …

A Calhoun County man was arrested last weekend following a domestic-related incident in Leroy Township, just south of Battle Creek. Sheriff’s officials said deputies were called around 12:30 a.m. to a residence near the intersection of Two Mile Road and B Drive South. Authorities interviewed a man and woman, who told them the woman’s ex-boyfriend arrived at the home, demanded …

A 19-year-old Homer man has been charged with offenses stemming from an incident in Branch County’s Batavia Township. Branch County officials said Zach Stempien faces two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct. Authorities said the alleged victim is a 16-year-old girl, who alleged she was assaulted by Stempien at a party last July. A probable-cause hearing is scheduled to take …

A man who was inspired by a church sermon to set fires at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Kalamazoo was sentenced Monday to five years in prison. Joshua Brereton, 25, had pleaded guilty to committing arson at the clinic last July. The clinic was not open at the time. Planned Parenthood offers abortion services. Brereton has made videos calling abortion …

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer outlined an agenda last Wednesday that will prioritize enacting stricter gun laws, repealing outdated laws that restrict abortion and who one can marry and providing pre-K education for all 4-year-olds in the state. Whitmer, in her fifth State of the State speech, also pledged to help with rising costs through “immediate” tax relief, which she outlined …

Officials from St. Joseph County Human Services Commission wish to remind anyone who took part in the Jan. 25 Point-In-Time homeless census to turn in their collection form. The paperwork should be left with officials from Keystone Place either in person, scanned and emailed to aharper.keystone @gmail.com, or by fax to the number 269-435-1119.