News

The Sturgis Department of Public Safety was dispatched Wednesday evening to the corner of Hatch and Maple streets in Sturgis in response to a structure fire. Crews extinguished a fire that had engulfed a two-story house and attached garage. North Nottawa Street was closed to allow water lines to be added to support tanker trucks at the scene.

Officials from the St. Joseph County Grange Fair have announced details related to the annual garage sale and vintage market. The 2026 event is planned for 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 2 at the Centreville property. Popular items available for sale typically include clothing, books, toys, furniture and vintage items. In addition, the event also features the annual St. …

A theme for Constantine’s annual Fourth of July celebration was recently chosen. Municipal officials said “Stars, Stripes and Small-Town Life” will honor the 250-year anniversary of the United States later this year. Event organizers said the day-long observance will be a patriotic celebration reflecting the heart of the community, neighbors helping neighbors, creativity and hometown pride. The village is in …

A Branch County man was arrested last weekend after he was involved in a police pursuit that started in Sherwood Township. Sheriff Fred Blankenship said deputies attempted to stop a vehicle due to an equipment violation shortly after 9 p.m. Saturday. The driver allegedly sped away from deputies. The pursuit concluded a short time later, however, after the suspect attempted …

St. Joseph County Road Commission received confirmation it will receive a federal grant to help cover a project in Constantine Township. The funding is part of a package approved at the federal level Tuesday. The legislation secured funding to help the road commission make improvements to North River Road. The 131 bypass, which opened west of Constantine in 2013, has …

December’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County decreased by two-tenths of a percent from November. 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 4.4 percent in November to 4.2 percent in December. The county’s December rate from a year earlier was 5.1 percent. Meanwhile, Cass …

Three Rivers American Legion is hosting a Valentine’s Day dinner event. Organizers said the $50-per-couple meal features a 10-ounce steak, shrimp, potato and salad. Meals are served starting at 4 p.m. at the American Legion Hice-Shutes Post on South Main Street.

A 57-year-old Sturgis man was arraigned Monday on charges related to multiple counts of criminal-sexual conduct. St. Joseph County Prosecutor Deb Davis said Raymond Bontrager allegedly sexually assaulted a minor from 2016 to 2025, starting when the victim was 6-years-old. According to investigators, the alleged abuse continued until the summer of 2025, when the now-15-year-old victim disclosed the alleged assaults …

No injuries were reported following a house fire in Fabius Township. Fabius-Park Fire Department officials said crews were dispatched at 3 a.m. Jan. 24 to the 11000 block of Lakeshore Drive. First-arriving crews observed an active attic fire in a single-story residence. Crews also noted an abundance of heavy snoke emitting from the residence. With aid from Three Rivers Fire …

A Union City man died in a two-vehicle crash last week in Calhoun County’s Burlington Township. Investigators said a Jeep was traveling east on M-60 near 9 Mile Road, where it lost control, crossed the centerline and struck a westbound semi, according to Michigan State Police. The incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. Wednesday. The 49-year-old victim was pronounced dead at …