News

St. Joseph County commissioners plan to pursue a grant that will allow the director of veterans services to increase his weekly workload. During Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners OK’d a motion to apply for the funding through the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency. Separate grants of $15,000 and $25,000 will be sought. If approved, the funding would allow Stoney Summey, the county’s director …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff ’s Department is investigating a recent break-in at Flowerfield Baptist Church. Authorities said suspects entered the church by breaking out a basement window. They then went through multiple areas of the building and desk drawers. An expandable, leather briefcase and numerous items from the church were taken.

A vacant home in the 70000 block of Green Pastures Road in Sturgis Township was damaged by fire Monday afternoon. Firefighters were called to the home shortly before 5 p.m. and found light smoke coming from the roof. Investigators are continuing to research the cause, though officials said the blaze appears to have started in the basement.

Organizers of the annual Palmer Lake Flotilla have announced the theme of the 13th annual event, slated to take place July 6 next year. “Through the Decades” will provide participants the opportunity to choose a decade and decorate their boat around an event or overall theme representing that particular decade, said Tim Taylor, long-time organizer and Commodore of the lake …

A Dowagiac man died Monday after the motorcycle he was driving left the road at a high rate of speed and crashed into a tree in Cass County’s Pokagon Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said the driver fled from officers with the Dowagiac Police Department, who called off their pursuit of the motorcycle due to the speed at which the motorcycle …

State police are investigating the theft of a purse and use of stolen credit cards. According to a department media release, troopers were called around 1 p.m. Sept. 16 to the Withers Road bridge at the St. Joseph River in Constantine Township. The victim told police she parked her car alongside the road, and then went for a kayak ride. …

A Sturgis man has been nominated by President Donald Trump to represent the United States on the International Joint Commission between the U.S. and Canada. Rob Sisson said the IJC was created in 1909 through the Boundary Waters Treaty with Canada. It is a six-person commission comprised of three representatives from the United States and three from Canada. The mission of the …

Please note that due to roadwork upgrades currently under construction within the City of Three Rivers, the following access points will be available at Three Rivers Health for all of our services beginning Tuesday, October 2. NOTE THAT THE BROADWAY STREET ENTRANCE IS CLOSED. Accessible from Millard and Hill Street ONLY: The Emergency Room and primary Three Rivers Health facility …

A special group of young men and women received a hero’s welcome Friday from the 850-member student body at Centreville Public Schools. The local Torch Run involved about 200 people: the 100 students at the Pathfinder Center, their teachers, aides, family members and law-enforcement authorities. Friday’s 10-minute procession maintained a years-long, annual bond between the Pathfinder Center’s students and their …

A floor-model freezer, two drills and a nail gun were among the items stolen from a Branch County residence last week, according to state police. Troopers said the incident occurred between Sept. 22 and Sept. 24 in the 3000 block of Gilead Lake Road.