News

A Vicksburg High School creative-writing teacher has been honored as an “Excellence in Education” award winner. The weekly acknowledgment is presented by Michigan State Lottery. For his recognition, David Smith received $2,000. He now becomes eligible for a $10,000 cash prize as the potential Educator of the Year recipient, an honor bestowed at the end of the academic year. Lottery …

County and local officials Wednesday morning canvassed St. Joseph County’s hardest-hit areas – Mendon, Nottawa, Colon and Leonidas townships – to gauge the degree of damage caused by what has now been confirmed as two tornadoes that touched down late Tuesday afternoon in the northeast quadrant of the county. St. Joseph County Emergency Management Director Erin Goff said in her …

Areas of St. Joseph and Branch counties, and elsewhere in Southwest Michigan, are recovering from damage caused by a fierce storm that tore through the area late Tuesday afternoon. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman reported power outages and widespread damage, including exceptionally heavy destruction in and around portions of Nottawa, Colon, and Leonidas townships in St. Joseph County. A pole barn adjacent …

Mendon Community Schools Board of Education can start its three-phase construction planning, as district voters Tuesday approved a millage-renewal request. Superintendent Leasa Griffith-Matthews said the district was seeking renewal of 8 mills over a six-year period. The $20 million proposal passed, 298 in favor to 182 opposed. Griffith-Matthews said several improvements on tap will include an addition at the middle/high …

Officials with White Pigeon Community Schools will have to assess what to do next after a millage renewal request was turned down Tuesday. At stake was renewal of eighty-five hundredths of a mill, amounting to about $2 million. Superintendent Shelly McBride said she is disappointed with the outcome and will await direction from the district’s board of education to determine …

A Three Rivers man died over the weekend as the result of a stabbing incident. Police Chief Scott Boling issued a media release Monday. He stated that the incident occurred shortly before midnight Sunday in the 300 block of Fourth Avenue. Upon arrival, officers located a 61-year-old man with stab wounds. He was airlifted to Bronson Methodist Hospital, where he …

Glen Oaks Community College has chosen its new president to succeed the retiring David Devier. College officials last week announced Bryan Newton was selected from a field of three finalists to replace Devier, who plans to step down June 30. Newton has more than two decades of service in community college administration, with an extensive background in enrollment management, student …

A Three Rivers man was injured in a personal-injury crash over the weekend in Cass County’s Porter Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were dispatched shortly after 9 p.m. Saturday to an area near the intersection of U.S. 12 and Robbins Lake Road. Investigators said 36-year-old Joshua Leszczewski was negotiating a curve when his vehicle crossed the center line. His …

A man riding a red bicycle is considered a suspect related to the larceny of items from motor vehicles last week in Sturgis Township. Michigan State Police troopers said several items were taken between 2:25 a.m. and shortly after 5 a.m. Tuesday in the 26000 block of U.S. 12. Security surveillance confirmed a person on a bicycle in the vicinity …

Thursday’s collection of household hazardous waste and electronics recycling was labeled “average” by event organizers. Pat Kulikowski, St. Joseph County Solid Waste Committee secretary, said the four-hour collection at the St. Joseph County Fairgrounds got off to a strong start then slowed considerably around the halfway point. Initial figures show 8,000 pounds of household hazardous waste was collected, while about …