News

A Dowagiac man was injured in a single-vehicle accident last week in Cass County’s Newberg Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly before 10 p.m. Saturday to the 57000 block of Patterson Hill Road. Investigators said 19-year-old Michael Schlup was attempting to turn into a driveway and his vehicle struck a tree. Schlup was transported to Borgess Lee Hospital for medical …

A policy for the sale of city-owned property is on the agenda for discussion by the Three Rivers City Commission this evening. Other agenda items include discussion of fiscal-year 2022, sidewalk contract award, South Douglas Avenue reconstruction and a public hearing related to a site plan for Meadwobrook Farms West. Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners are meeting at 6 o’clock. …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating the larceny of a motor vehicle from a location in Branch County’s Quincy Township. The incident occurred during the pre-dawn hours Monday in the 500 block of Ridge Road. The vehicle in question is a 1997, two-door Chevy pickup. It is blue in color with a bright-yellow snowplow attached to its front. The vehicle …

A Centreville man was arrested last week after attempting to evade police in White Pigeon Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies tried to stop a vehicle shortly before midnight Friday after noticing his vehicle did not display a valid license plate. The 33-year-old driver failed to stop and continued driving through the village of White Pigeon. The suspect vehicle became …

Organizers of the Three Rivers Water Festival recently met and decided to plan for a resumption of what would be the city’s 64th Water Festival. Christy Trammell, president & CEO of the Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce, said it made sense to plan a 2021 festival then cancel or postpone if circumstances warrant. As it stands, the three-day festival …

A pursuit that started in Elkhart County and covered the width of St. Joseph County ended last week in Colon Township. Sheriff’s deputies said the incident took place Friday night and initially involved officers from White Pigeon and Constantine. They reported the suspect was driving at a high rate of speed and in an erratic manner. The Constantine Police Department …

Officials from the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy have announced it acquired an additional 421 acres of land in 2020. That brings its total amount of land protected to 17,400 acres across southwest Michigan. One of more than five properties acquired last year include the Butler Conservation Easement in Park Township. Ron and Sharron Butler conserved their 175-acre parcel, located in …

St. Joseph County officials plan to discuss whether to approve a staffing request for the prosecutor’s office. The matter was raised during Wednesday’s executive committee meeting. Commissioners heard a grim report from prosecutor David Marvin, who said according to circuit court judge Paul Stutesman, there are about 600 felony cases backlogged at the moment. He said 19 of the 600 …

St. Joseph County commissioners have recommended changing the first of their two monthly executive committee meetings to a 5 p.m. start from what is currently 8 a.m. The second executive committee meeting of the month would keep its 8 a.m. start time. The issue was first discussed last month, when new commissioner Jared Hoffmaster indicated he has a work-related conflict …

Southwest Michigan First has announced Lee Chatfield has been hired as the agency’s new executive director. The former House of Representative member recently served as speaker of the House and speaker pro-tem. Prior to his three-term run as a state legislator, Chatfield was an athletic director, teacher and coach at Northern Michigan Christian Academy in Burt Lake. Southwest Michigan First …