News

Constantine Village Manager Mark Honeysett provided an assessment of the storms that struck the area nearly two weeks ago. During last week’s village council meeting, Honeysett called the Aug. 11 and 12 weather events a direct-line storm, not a tornado. He said the storms took out a large number of trees and large branches around the village. Honeysett said the …

GT Independence in Sturgis has named Megan Owen as chief operating officer, Cindy Desch as chief talent officer and Jeremy Gump as chief administrative officer. The appointments were announced by CEO Holly Carmichael, who assumed that role Aug. 5. All three appointees took over their new roles effective Aug. 17 and are actively working to support GT’s operations, Carmichael said. …

St. Joseph County officials are optimistic that State Sen. Kim LaSata’s effort might help the county secure “state of emergency” status. LaSata on Wednesday called for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to declare a state of emergency in St. Joseph County in the aftermath of the recent storms that left significant damage throughout the area. In her message to Whitmer, LaSata said the …

Here’s a reminder that the Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a “Legislative Luncheon” with Congressman Fred Upton. The event will take place from noon to 1 p.m. Aug. 30 at the chamber’s event center, 116 N. Main St. Cost is $15 for members and $20 for non-members. Price includes lunch. RSVP to the chamber by phoning 278-8193.

St. Joseph County officials are asking the public to complete a survey related to damage from last week’s storms. E-911 Director Dennis Brandenburg said the county is interested in receiving damage reports as a result of the severe weather last Wednesday and Thursday. The county is looking to find resources to help residents. Brandenburg said knowing the locations where damage …

Caleb Wing of Sturgis will serve a minimum of 19 months in prison after entering guilty pleas in three separate felony cases. The sentence was imposed recently in Branch County Circuit Court. Judge Bill O’Grady sentenced 28-year-old Wing to 16-24 months for resisting arrest when stopped outside Coldwater in June 2020 for officers to serve a warrant for his arrest. Wing …

Art and Soul, a peer support group for people 18 years of age and older, is starting a new session later this month. Organized by Cassidy Graber, Art and Soul will focus on different forms of art to explore emotions, thoughts and inner-feelings. The sessions are at 2 p.m. Tuesdays, beginning Aug. 31 through Sept. 28. Meanwhile, Graber will also …

Local officials said more than three-quarters of St. Joseph County was without power in the days after last week’s storms. The estimate was shared by St. Joseph County Emergency Management Director Erin Goff, who addressed county commissioners Tuesday. At the peak of power outages last week, 78 percent of the county was without electric service, Goff said. As of late …

St. Joseph County United Way has announced details related to its 10th annual Mega Raffle. Executive Director Kelly Hostetler said 330 tickets are available. They are $100 each and the drawing will take place Oct. 14. Additional prizes include $500 for the first ticket drawn and $100 for several more after that. There are prizes of $1,000 through $5,000 for …

About 40 participants helped raise more than $5,400 at an annual fundraiser last weekend. Organizers of Saturday’s “Walk a Mile in Their Shoes” in Three Rivers deemed the event a success. Funds raised will benefit Domestic and Sexual Abuse Services, and its programs. In addition to fundraising, the event seeks to raise awareness for victims of physical violence and sexual assault, said …