News

The state Attorney General’s Office has agreed to handle the prosecution of any crimes stemming from a large party on a Cass County lake in which hundreds of people ignored state orders to wear masks or socially distance. The Cass County Prosecutor’s Office asked the Attorney General’s Office to appoint a special prosecutor after a viral video showed hundreds of …

Michigan health workers must receive “implicit bias” training tied to their professional licensure under a directive issued Thursday by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who said the mandate will help address the coronavirus pandemic’s disproportionate and deadly impact on people of color. The Democratic governor also said she would soon announce steps to ensure compliance with Michigan’s mask-wearing requirement in indoor public …

Three Rivers High School has postponed its graduation ceremony, which had been rescheduled to take place tonight. Principal Carrie Balk informed the district’s board of education this week that the persistent threat of COVID-19 has necessitated the delay. Aug. 6 is being considered as the date for the re-scheduled graduation ceremony, Balk said. While members of the district’s class of …

A four-year member of the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department has been awarded the agency’s “Employee of the Year.” Deputy Kevin Brooks, a Vicksburg native, was the recipient of the 2019 award, according to sheriff Mark Lillywhite. Sgt. Brandon Dahl said Brooks is a positive presence at the department, he’s punctual, dependable and an employee who always gives 100 percent …

Here’s an announcement from the Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce. In response to the economic impact of COVID-19, the state of Michigan has allocated $100 million of CARES Act funding to implement the Michigan Small Business Restart Program to support the needs of Michigan Businesses directly impacted by COVID-19. The application for businesses to apply for funding will open …

Most confirmed COVID-19 cases in St. Joseph County have come from the Sturgis area, according to information released last week by the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency. Of 303 laboratory-confirmed cases, those in Sturgis accounted for 197. Next closest was Three Rivers, with 33. It was followed by 21 in White Pigeon, 15 in Constantine, a dozen in Colon, nine …

A New York man was injured this week in a two-vehicle accident in Cass County’s Penn Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly before 7 a.m. Monday to the intersection of Penn and Dutch Settlement roads in response to a personal-injury crash. Investigators said Yocov Roness, 20, was travelling south when he failed to stop at the intersection. …

Sheriff’s department deputies are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident at a location in Fabius Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said the situation occurred early in the morning July 1 in the 15000 block of Hoffman Road. Investigators found entry was forced to a barn and a shed near a commercial building. Further information was not available.

Michigan’s confirmed COVID-19 deaths have surpassed 6,000, the state health department said Tuesday. The state said there have been 6,005 deaths and another 246 that are probable. Michigan reported 30 new deaths Tuesday, although 20 were confirmed through a records review and could have occurred weeks ago. Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties and Detroit account for 75% of Michigan’s deaths. …

Members of the St. Joseph County Fair Board voted Monday to cancel the 2020 fair due to concerns about COVID-19. Board president Tom Miller called Monday’s action the most difficult vote any fair board in St. Joseph County has ever had to make. Regarding 4-H participants, fair officials plan to meet with St. Joseph County Extension Office 4-H Program Coordinator …