News

Thieves recently stole about $6,000 worth of fruit from Corey Lake Orchards, a 250-acre specialty-crop operation in Fabius Township. A news release from the Michigan Farm Bureau stated organized theft of this nature had never happened at the farm owned by Beth Hubbard. After a May 9 freeze wiped out most of her sweet and tart cherries, early apples and …

White Pigeon Community Schools has cancelled its 2020 commencement/graduation ceremonies, which had been scheduled for July 31. District officials said the decision was made in order to comply with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Executive Order as well as guidelines from the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency. Speeches from the school’s top scholars and a senior slide show will be posted on …

Sheriff’s officials are investigating a breaking-and-entering in incident in Fabius Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies were called to the 59000 block of U.S. 131, where the incident occurred at a self-storage facility. Investigators said several units were entered and contents were stolen around 6:30 p.m. July 16. The suspect vehicle is described as a gold Chevrolet Equinox and the …

The former company that owned Three Rivers 6 movie theater, and earlier this year filed for bankruptcy, has been bought. Goodrich Quality Theaters was bought out of bankruptcy by New York-based Mason Asset Management and Namdar Realty Group. They have partnered with theater-operating company VIP Cinemas to manage and operate the 22-chain Goodrich Quality Theaters, which includes 12 locations in …

Here’s the weekly update from Michigan Department of Transportation regarding the U.S. 131 reconstruction project in Three Rivers. MDOT officials expect to introduce a new traffic pattern today, with two-way traffic to follow the new northbound side of U.S. 131. Also, workers are expected to continue some utility-relocation work throughout the project. In addition, Millard Street will be fully reopened. …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently announced appointments to the Michigan Beef Industry Commission, including a Sturgis-area resident. Monte Bordner, owner of Bordner Angus Farms, is a board member of St. Joseph County Farm Bureau and Michigan Cattlemen’s Association. Bordner was appointed to represent members engaged in the raising, breeding or growing of cattle or calves for beef production. The term was …

State police troopers are investigating the theft of an enclosed trailer and two snowmobiles in Branch County’s Coldwater Township. Investigators said the enclosed trailer was taken from a location in the 800 block of Gordons Lane between Tuesday and Thursday last week. The trailer was seen Wednesday by a state trooper, but at that time it had not been reported …

St. Joseph County grant writer James Hissong said he is pursuing a few grants that will benefit the county. During their executive committee meeting Wednesday, commissioners were provided an update from Hissong. He said the First Responder Hazard Pay grant program, which makes available $1,000 in hazard pay payments to first responders, equates to about $73,000 for the county. The …

A member of Southwest Michigan First is urging St. Joseph County officials to assemble a Brownfield Redevelopment Board. Cathy Knapp joined commissioners during their executive committee meeting Wednesday and said in addition to repurposing former industrial sites, brownfield-redevelopment projects tend to qualify for exclusive grant dollars. Knapp said a meeting with county administrator Teresa Doehring and grant writer James Hissong …

St. Joseph County officials might consider a plan that would cut the weekly hours of some full-time employees from 40 to 35. County administrator Teresa Doehring raised the proposal during the county board’s executive committee meeting Wednesday. Doehring said the concept is in its infancy and, for now, remains nothing more than a potential option to help the county’s financial …