News

The federal government will send 44 military medical staffers to Michigan to help beleaguered hospitals treat COVID-19 patients amid a fourth surge that is the worst in the country, state health officials said Wednesday. It also will open beds at the Veterans Affairs hospital in Detroit for transfers. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer sought the assistance at the request of the Michigan …

An $18.6 million transit center will be constructed on the site of the former Michigan State Fairgrounds in Detroit. Detroit City Councilmembers on Tuesday approved by a 5-2 vote a plan that calls for buses and passengers to use what had been the fairground’s Dairy Cattle Building. The Coliseum building will be torn down. In past years, it hosted circuses, …

A Three Rivers teacher left his job in the middle of the school day Monday rather than adhere to a district-ordered mandate to remove a pride flag from his classroom. Russell Ball posted a video to social media minutes after resigning and leaving Three Rivers Middle School. Ball, age 43, taught physical education and health. Ball said an internal email …

A Three Rivers man was injured in a two-vehicle collision Tuesday in Lockport Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies were called at 9 a.m. to the intersection of M-86 and Neaman Road, just east of Three Rivers. Investigators found that a Ford F-150 was heading west and came to a stop in order for traffic to clear before turning left …

Based on new recommendations from the CDC, the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is now offering all manufacturer’s vaccine booster doses to all residents age 18 and older. Those who received a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine as their primary vaccine with the second dose administered at least six months ago are eligible for a booster dose. Those who are age …

Several reports of breaking-and-entering into automobiles were made from Flowerfield Township early Monday. State police said troopers fielded multiple reports of items stolen from vehicles parked in driveways in the early morning hours. A specific area was not indicated in a department media release. The stolen items included two guns, money, identification, wallets and purses. All vehicles involved were unlocked …

Sheriff’s deputies are investigating the theft of gas from vehicles parked at a location in Nottawa Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies responded to a report of gas stolen between Wednesday and Thursday from vehicles and tractors parked in the 27000 block of Prairie Corners Road.

St. Joseph County United Way is collecting new or gently used winter coats, hats, gloves and boots. Agency officials said items can be dropped off at the United Way’s office in Centreville. If coats need cleaning, they can be left at Ludders Cleaners in Three Rivers or Sturgis. More information is available from the United Way, at 269-467-9099.

A 40-year-old Constantine man was sentenced to prison last week on charges of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. Michael Paul Miller will serve 10 to 30 years after pleading guilty to the charge and as a habitual offender following a series of incidents with an underage girl that ended in 2020. Miller had previously denied anything happened with the now-14-year-old girl until …

A 48-year-old Mishawaka woman was arrested Friday afternoon in Sturgis on numerous felony charges after leading police on a brief pursuit through the city. Officers received a call from St. Joseph County Central Dispatch at 3:28 p.m. regarding a vehicle being driven in an erratic manner on U.S.12 and approaching the city limits. Responding officers located the vehicle and witnessed …