News

National Day of Prayer was observed locally Thursday, thanks to the efforts of a small group of parishioners from Firm Foundation Ministries. The hour-long program took place around the gazebo on the grounds of the St. Joseph County Courthouse. Vicki Allen, Marlene Hagerman, Barbara Kwiatkowski and Mary Ellen Smith were instrumental in putting together the lineup that featured prayers related …

A suspect is being sought, following a shooting incident in Constantine Wednesday evening. The incident took place shortly after 8pm at the Constantine Little League fields near Meadow Lane. A 38-year-old Cassopolis man was reportedly shot multiple times. He was airlifted to Memorial Hospital in South Bend. The major crime scene task force is investigating.

A Sturgis-area man has been charged with second-degree murder following his arrest stemming from a hit-and-run fatal collision last month in Branch County’s Sherwood Township. Authorities said Daniel Silich, 42, was arrested Wednesday. Investigators said he was the driver of a car that struck 13-year-old Landen Risner and injured his 6-year-old brother and 13-year-old sister. The three were on bicycles …

Sheriff’s deputies investigated a single-vehicle crash that claimed the life of a Sturgis man. Randy Caruthers, age 49, died after the pickup he was driving collided into a tree around 5 a.m. Tuesday in Florence Township, sheriff Mark Lillywhite said. Investigators said Caruthers was driving a Ford F-150 eastbound on Featherstone Road when he lost control of the vehicle in …

A four-wheeler was recovered by sheriff’s deputies after it was stolen earlier this week in Park Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies were notified around 8 a.m. Sunday that the 2019 Suzuki 500 was stolen from an unattached garage in the 55000 block of Parkville Road. Investigators checked a property in the 21000 block of Pinhook Road and located the …

Recreational marijuana facilities will continue operating in Constantine, as voters decided Tuesday to support a measure retaining that option. By a margin of 396 to 74, voters opposed a request that would have amended two sections of the village ordinance related to the issue. The amended ordinance would have banned all components of recreational marijuana. In essence, the 396 “no” …

Voters in the village of White Pigeon overwhelmingly endorsed a request to renew a millage to financially support ambulance service. The final vote was 102 in favor of the renewal to 26 opposed. The request centered on 0.35 mills originally established in 2017. The fraction of a mill generates slightly more than $11,000 annually and is dedicated specifically to Emergent …

Michigan late Tuesday lifted an outdoor mask requirement except in gatherings of at least 100 people and in organized contact sports, and said teen athletes no longer must undergo regular COVID-19 testing if they are fully vaccinated. Under a revised pandemic order that takes effect Thursday, the state health department also eased outdoor event sizes and said vaccinated people are …

State Sen. Kim LaSata has announced a St. Joseph County venue has been named the inaugural recipient of her “Small Business of the Month” award. Mendon-based Cowboy Up was named Monday as the award’s first recipient. LaSata said she is proud to recognize Cowboy Up as the first winner of the award, which is issued in conjunction with Small Business …

A ribbon-cutting event 13 months later than planned took place Saturday in Three Rivers. The ceremonial gesture marked the official opening of Armstrong Park, an 80-acre development between Main Street and Buckhorn Road. Jared Hoffmaster, vice president of River Country Sports Commission said the 80-acre development, for generations to come, will be at the center of youth athletics and the …