News

St. Joseph County commissioners agreed Tuesday to replace a 12-year member on the road commission board. The decision, which was not unanimous, sparked a minor debate about the value of experience over the merits of someone new with a fresh perspective. John Bippus, who is concluding his second, six-year term on the five-member road commission board, was not renewed following …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has announced that procedures for case investigations have changed. Widespread community transmission has placed tremendous strain on public health capacity throughout Michigan and locally, with more cases than there is capacity to handle. As a result, local health department staff may not contact every positive case. Because of the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases, …

To comply with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Epidemic Order, the St. Joseph County Commission on Aging will not be offering group activities at its two enrichment centers starting today. The COA will remain open for single-household exercise and computer use; to purchase restaurant tickets; for medical loan closet needs; to conduct membership renewals and for Medicaid/Medicare-enrollment …

Following orders from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Three Rivers Community Schools has announced in-person learning at the high school and middle school will be discontinued until next month. Superintendent Ron Moag said the middle school was exempt from the state’s orders but it has experienced a recent upswing in absences, warranting the move to virtual learning. …

St. Joseph County officials have announced that starting today, all county departments within the Historic Courthouse and Annex 2 will be closed to the public. The measure is in place until at least Dec. 8. Most services can be accomplished online, by phone or email. In addition, departments will still be staffed during regular business hours.

A Branch County man was arrested last week after authorities said he fired a gun in the direction of a relative. Michigan State Police troopers were called shortly after midnight Thursday to a residence in the 900 block of West Colon Road in Matteson Township. Authorities said a family member arrived unannounced to the house and was upset that the …

Three Rivers municipal leaders last week approved the sale of the Carnegie building. City officials said the sale to the Carnegie Center for the Arts was for $54,000. The deal also means the end of a lease agreement between Carnegie Center for the Arts and the Three Rivers Woman’s Club. The breakdown that led to the lack of continuing the …

The suspect in a Three Rivers murder case has pled guilty. Randall Miller, 34, appeared before St. Joseph County Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman last week. The occasion stems from the March 2019 death of Lori Norman. Miller pleaded guilty to second-degree murder as part of a plea deal, which calls for the dismissal of all other charges related to …

Due to new COVID 19 restrictions that will take effect on November 18, 2020, limiting 10 persons in a building, those wanting to attend the special meeting of the Park Township Planning Commission on Thursday, November 19, 2020 will need to attend virtually. The public may participate in the meeting through Zoom access by computer and smart phone using the …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Monday she has the authority to issue a second stay-at-home order to curb the spiking coronavirus if necessary and called a comment by an adviser to President Donald Trump urging people to “rise up” against Michigan’s latest restrictions “incredibly reckless.” The Democratic governor spoke with Capitol reporters a day after announcing limits amid a surge of COVID-19 cases …