News

A Decatur man died over the weekend as the result of a single-vehicle accident in Cass County’s Silver Creek Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said a car driven by 24-year-old Eduardo Mendoza was heading east on Yaw Street at 3:45 a.m. Sunday. Investigators said Mendoza apparently lost control of the vehicle and it rolled over multiple times near the intersection of …

Here’s the weekly update from Michigan Department of Transportation regarding the U.S. 131 reconstruction project in Three Rivers. A Stage 3 traffic pattern is in place at the north end of the project, resulting in two-way traffic on the northbound portion of U.S. 131. Meanwhile, a Stage 2 traffic pattern remains in place at the south end, where two-way traffic …

Two men were injured in a two-vehicle accident Friday in Cass County’s Volinia Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly before 4:30 p.m. to the intersection of Marcellus Highway and Decatur Road. Investigators found that Wayne Christenson, 68, of Granger, Ind., was driving northbound when he failed to stop at the intersection. His vehicle collided with a car heading …

Cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare, ruffed grouse and other animals will be in hunters’ sights as Michigan’s small game season gets underway Sunday. The Department of Natural Resources says a Michigan base license is required for small game hunters. The cost for residents is $11. The base license allows hunting of rabbit, hare, squirrel, pheasant, ruffed grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, woodchuck, woodcock, …

A pair of Cass County officials joined State Rep. Aaron Miller for 9/11-related remembrances earlier this week. Miller welcomed Sheriff Richard Behnke and Capt. Tom Jacobs of the Cass County Sheriff’s Department as his guests for the Michigan House’s annual Sept. 11 Memorial Service at the Capitol. The ceremony remembers first responders and members of the military from Michigan who …

A month after saying no to recreational marijuana, members of the Colon Village Council showed a greater tolerance for cannabis as a medicinal drug. By a 5-2 vote Tuesday, the council passed a resolution in support of creating an ordinance related to the establishment of marijuana production and distribution for medical purposes within the village. More than a dozen people …

The St. Joseph County United Way is bringing back a popular fundraiser next month. The Centreville-based agency will stage its second “Team Trivia Night,” starting at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at the county fairgrounds. Cost is $150 per team with a maximum of six players per team. The fee includes dinner; there will be a cash bar and silent auction …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is joining the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in kicking off its seventh annual “Septic Smart Week” beginning Monday. The purpose is to encourage homeowners and communities to properly maintain their septic systems. Paul Andriacchi, director of environmental health at the Community Health Agency, said people often forget about their septic systems, as systems typically …

Michigan Department of Transportation officials wish to remind motorists that Hoffman Street west of U.S. 131 in the Three Rivers area is closed for construction. The closure took effect Tuesday and will be in place for an indefinite period of time. Suggested detour routes for both northbound and southbound traffic are posted. Also, as a reminder, MDOT said left turns …

Three Rivers Community Schools Superintendent Ron Moag said the middle school and high school were under lockdown for less than half an hour Tuesday. Moag said the situation unfolded at 11:40 a.m. after an adult male was spotted by a district facilities staff member. The man spotted was walking south on 6th Avenue toward M-60 and carrying what looked like …