News

Eric Anderson, James DeDecker and Kurt Thelen A breakfast meeting for field crop producers and agribusiness professionals on May 15, 2018 in St. Joseph County will focus on industrial hemp as a cash crop and how it may fit into future farming operations in Michigan. The meeting will also be available online to the public. Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) …

Michigan State Police say they’re recovered 17 travel trailers worth about $600,000 that were reported stolen from northern Indiana. Police say the sheriff’s office in LaGrange County, Indiana, contacted them for help locating and recovering the trailers. Detectives in Indiana had opened an investigation after several recreational vehicle manufacturers reported thefts of trailers from their facilities. Michigan State Police say …

The wife of a local fire chief died over the weekend in a motorcycle accident in Three Rivers. Investigators said Patricia Frye, age 66, the spouse of Mike Frye, chief of Fabius-Park Fire Department, died in the 7:30 p.m. incident Saturday.. Mike Frye, age 55, meanwhile, was critically injured when the motorcycles he and his wife were driving were struck …

A White Pigeon man suffered minor injuries after his vehicle was struck by a deer last week in Cass County. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly before 5:30 p.m. Thursday to M-40, near Born Street. Investigators said Brian Rudloff was driving south on M-40 when his vehicle was struck on the driver’s side by a deer. Rudloff sustained …

State Sen. John Proos has supported approval of Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund projects for 2018, including six in Southwest Michigan. The trust fund is supported by interest earned on funds generated from the development of state-owned mineral rights, Proos said. Senate Bill 883 would authorize the trust to use almost $50 million in restricted funds to support 34 acquisition …

Three Indiana residents were injured in a one-vehicle accident over the weekend in Cass County’s Newberg Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly before 2 p.m. Saturday to Quaker Street, near Savage Road. Investigators said 20-year-old Elkhart resident Colin Schieber was driving eastbound on Quaker Street, when he lost control of the vehicle, causing it to go into …

Organizers of Sunday’s 55th annual Mendon Dust-Off are declaring the event a success. Heidi Alexander, president of the Three Rivers Classic and Antique Restorers Club, said the event drew about 650 participants and hundreds of spectators. Always staged the first Sunday of May, the Dust-Off serves as the unofficial kickoff to car season, with a major show in Coldwater the …

The U.S. Post Office in Three Rivers will be one of thousands across the country to take part in what is believed to be the largest food drive in the nation. The annual National Association of Letter Carriers “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive will be May 12. Post office officials are asking for anyone wishing to participate to leave non-perishable …

The 55th annual Mendon Dust-Off takes place Sunday with the usual impressive variety of old cars, muscle cars and other vintage vehicles. It starts at 7 a.m. and runs until 3 p.m. Three Rivers resident Arnold Alexander is a charter member of the event sponsor, Three Rivers Classic and Antique Restorers Club. He said Sunday’s show marks the 30-year anniversary …

A Cassopolis woman was injured after she was involved in a motorcycle accident earlier this week in Calvin Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly after 5 p.m. Monday to Day Lake Road, near Jeffries Street. Behnke said a motorcycle driven by Debra Hartline, 51, was heading north on Day Lake Road when she attempted to pass a …