News

Authorities said speed appears to be a factor in a fatal crash late last week in Florence Township. St. Joseph County Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies were called shortly before 5 a.m. Friday to an area of Lutz Road near Roys Road in response to a single-vehicle crash. Investigators found a vehicle – driven by 20-year-old Gerardo Menendez of Three …

Republican state senators on Thursday approved the repeal of the Michigan law that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer used to order emergency lockdowns at the beginning of the pandemic, when Michigan was among the states hardest hit by COVID-19. The state Senate’s 20-15 vote along partisan lines came two days after the Board of State Canvassers certified Unlock Michigan’s petition drive to repeal the …

A Saginaw man faces two counts of second-degree murder for his role in a May 7 collision that killed an elderly Schoolcraft couple. Kalamazoo County Prosecutor’s Office has authorized charges against 27-year-old Ezra Phillips. Authorities said he was driving in excess of 100 miles per hour on southbound U.S. 131 when the SUV he was driving struck an eastbound car …

A 29-year-old Three Rivers man was arrested on drug-related offenses after he fled from authorities earlier this week in Mendon Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies attempted to stop a vehicle around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday on Silver Street at Wakeman Road after noticing an equipment violation. The driver fled the scene as the responding deputy was walking toward the suspect’s …

A White Pigeon woman was involved in a car-versus-motorcycle collision earlier this week in Cass County’s Mason Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 4:20 p.m. Wednesday to the intersection of U.S. 12 and Tharp Lake Road. Investigators said a motorcycle driven by Lon Franklin, 72, of Elkhart, was westbound on U.S. 12 when a northbound vehicle on …

Cass County officials said a Cassopolis man was injured in a motorcycle crash last week in Pokagon Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly after 2 p.m. Saturday to an area of M-51 near Crystal Springs Street. Authorities said Jason Todd, 47, was driving south on M-51 when he lost control of the motorcycle he was driving. It …

The Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for its 2021 Awards Celebration. The event will occur as part of the chamber’s annual dinner, Oct. 6. The Brick Award recognizes those who made a significant investment into their business through physical improvements or new purchases, for example. Community Service Award acknowledges those who have done an outstanding …

State police troopers are investigating a report of malicious destruction of property last month at a location in Branch County’s Butler Township. Troopers were called June 6 to Butler Motor Speedway, where the tires of a passenger car had been slashed while the vehicle was in the parking lot.

A high-traffic route in St. Joseph County will feature lane restrictions when a major resurfacing project begins next week. Michigan Department of Transportation officials said resurfacing of 3.7 miles of U.S. 12 starts Monday. The $972,000 project includes improvements to two Grand Elk Railroad crossings, one on U.S. 12 and the other on U.S. 131. MDOT officials said the task …

Members of the Three Rivers City Commission agreed to make a $50,000 donation to the Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority. During last week’s commission meeting, Mayor Tom Lowry and commission members said financial support for the authority is not unprecedented, as the city commission recognizes the value of supporting the downtown organization. Lowry said the $50,000 will go toward supporting …