News

Local governments have won a partial victory in the Michigan appeals court in a dispute over how state government gives tax dollars to communities. The constitution requires that local governments get 48.9 percent of all state spending. But when the state makes that calculation, the appeals court says it can’t count money that pays for state-mandated activities. Attorney John Philo …

Human remains found earlier this year in a northern Indiana cemetery have been confirmed to be those of a Michigan woman who vanished last year. The St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office said Wednesday that the Indiana State Police laboratory has verified the remains are those of 41-year-old Natily Nacole Franklin of Decatur, Michigan. The remains were discovered March 21 on …

The city of Three Rivers is getting a bit of a financial boost thanks to the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. The MSHDA awarded a combined total of $1.4 million to several communities for projects with the support of Neighborhood Enhancement Program (NEP) grants. The city will receive an award of $50,000 that will be used for homeowner housing enhancements. …

The former executive director of Three Rivers Area Mentoring is being charged with embezzlement. Randall Norton was arrested on Monday and charged with embezzlement of $1,000 – $20,000 from a non-profit charitable organization. Three Rivers police met with board members of TRAM back in January about possible embezzlement by Norton as the incoming director found inconsistencies on the books of …

Two men were arrested on drug charges in Three Rivers on Friday. Three Rivers police were called to the 1000 block of Millard St. on Friday just before 7:15 a.m. for subjects stealing items from yards. A little while later, they were able to locate the suspected vehicle matching the description given by witnesses. Police immediately called in K9 Jake …

The St. Joseph County sheriff’s department is investigating the larceny of a golf cart from the 17000 block of Indian Prairie Rd. in White Pigeon Township. Deputies said the suspect(s) entered a barn and stole a Club Car brand golf cart that is green in color with a tan roof. It also has several Ducks Unlimited stickers attached. Anyone with …

Here’s the weekly Michigan Department of Transportation update regarding the U.S. 131 reconstruction project in Three Rivers. MDOT officials said the Stage 2 traffic pattern remains in place and operating as two-way traffic on the southbound U.S. 131 lane. Work at the Rocky River bridge near Hoffman Street is expected to conclude this week, however, the bridge will remain closed. …

Indiana conservation officers have identified a man who’s believed to have drowned in Lake Michigan at Indiana Dunes State Park. They said Monday a park lifeguard noticed 32-year-old Brandon Howard of Constantine, was seen struggling Saturday evening near the edge of the designated swimming area. The man slipped under the surface of the water as the lifeguard approached. His body …

A multiple-vehicle accident ended with a fatality Sunday night in Constantine Township. The Michigan State Police are investigating the incident, which happened on U.S. 131 and North River Road at approximately 10:25 p.m. A 28-year-old White Pigeon man was driving his motorcycle southbound on U.S. 131 when a 29-year-old male driver from Kalamazoo, who was stopped at North River Road, turned …

Two men were arrested as a result of a search warrant being executed Thursday by the Cass County Drug Enforcement team. The search warrant took place in the 69000 block of Hazel Street in Porter Township where approximately 25 grams of methamphetamine and meth paraphernalia were located in the residence. The homeowner, a 47-year-old male, and his friend, a 36-year-old …