News

A 33-year-old Battle Creek man was sentenced up to five years in prison for his role in the 2024 death of a 2-year-old Sturgis Township child. Frederick Nelson, boyfriend of Paige Bohne, was sentenced Friday after pleading guilty to the common-law offense of accessory after the fact in the suffocation death of Octavia Bohne. St. Joseph County Probate Judge Kevin …

Glen Oaks Community College and the Glen Oaks Community College Foundation announced that Richard Wedemeyer has established the Wedemeyer Student Support Fund. Wedemeyer kick-started the foundation with a $100,000 endowed gift to help students facing unexpected financial hardships remain enrolled and continue their education. Annual distributions from the endowed fund will provide financial assistance for essential expenses not covered by …

Here’s a traffic advisory for anyone planning to drive in Kalamazoo County. Starting this week, there will be significant traffic-pattern changes and delays on South Sprinkle Road from S Avenue north to Zylman Avenue in Portage. First, Sprinkle Road will be closed to northbound traffic between the two roadways. That stretch will be a one-way route for southbound traffic. Also, …

St. Joseph County was one of six recipients statewide to receive funding through the Michigan Horse Racing Advisory Commission and its annual Equine Grant program. The St. Joseph County Grange Fair was awarded $21,600 for track maintenance. The Equine Grant Program, established by the Horse Racing Law of 1995 and supported by the HRAC, provides grant funding to support the promotion …

Chambers of Commerce in Three Rivers and Sturgis are co-sponsoring an upcoming “Meet the Candidates” forum. The event features the three contestants for the 36th House District seat: Luke Lori, Max Coon and incumbent Steve Carra. It will start at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 18th at Glen Oaks Community College at its upstairs concourse, The three are Republican candidates …

St. Joseph County Conservation District officials have good news and bad news to share regarding the 2026 river cleanup program. Agency director Carolyn Grace said the state grant that supports the four-times-a-year cleanup was not extended this year. Nonetheless, Grace said the conservation district plans to self-fund the events to support what will be the 16th summer of river cleanups. …

A 45-year-old Edwardsburg man died Wednesday after he was shot in an exchange of gunfire with law-enforcement personnel in Cass County’s Jefferson Township. Sheriff Clint Roach said deputies responded midday to the 29000 block of Davis Lake Street. A caller to central dispatch reported a man at the residence was at the front door and armed with a handgun. The …

Weather may have been a factor in a car-versus-deer collision earlier this week in Branch County’s Algansee Township. Sheriff Fred Blankenship said deputies were called shortly before 10:30 a.m. Monday to South Ray Quincy Road, near Lester Road, in response to a crash with injury. Investigators said a car driven northbound on South Ray Quincy Road swerved to avoid colliding …

Constantine municipal officials have announced details related to its “Music in the Park” program Event organizers said three performances highlight the 2026 series. Sponsored by Constantine Downtown Development Authority, the season kicks off June 5, featuring Y Naut Band. There will be merchants in the park and food available from vendor Recippi’s Italian Ice. Julia James will provide entertainment July …

Registered voters in Sturgis, Colon, Coldwater and Vicksburg school districts went to the polls Tuesday to determine the fate of millage-related ballot questions. In Sturgis, voters turned down a request for a $98 million proposal. The request sought approval for a variety of school improvements, including a new aquatic center, refurbishing all 116 bathrooms in the district and roof replacements. …