News

Members of the St. Joseph County Road Commission Board said 20 culverts have been damaged in the county this year due to flooding- related incidents. During a board meeting earlier this month, director of operations Michael Harris said a dozen of the damaged culverts collectively are in Colon, Flowerfield and Leonidas townships. In addition, two each are damaged in Fabius, …

Sturgis city commissioners last week agreed to bring medical marijuana zoning amendments and ordinance back for first reading. A similar motion in February failed 4- 3. Commissioner Jeff Mullins said he believes there is room for compromise after concerns were raised that included buffer zone distances between medical marijuana facilities and inappropriate locations. During commission discussion last week, vice-mayor Jon …

A man was shot outside a Three Rivers party store over the weekend, according to Michigan State Police. Troopers said the incident took place Sunday afternoon in the parking lot of Paul’s Liquor Store, in the 200 block of East Michigan Avenue. According to authorities, four men inside the business were involved in an argument and ordered by a clerk …

Two people were injured over the weekend after a propane tank inside their camper exploded at a Cass County campground. The situation unfolded Sunday afternoon at Melville Seven Lakes Campground in Marcellus. Authorities said an investigation into why the tank exploded is ongoing, but it occurred when the victims started a gas stove. Two people inside the unit were burned …

Todd Reynolds was hired last week by the White Pigeon school board to serve as junior/senior high school principal beginning July 1. He replaces Jon Keyer, who is retiring. Keyer said the district had 12 applicants and interviewed four. Reynolds has served as principal for eight years at Galesburg-Augusta and five years at Lake Fenton. A Marshall native, Reynolds attended …

Three people died over the weekend following a single-vehicle crash south of Centreville. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said deputies were called shortly before 2:30 a.m. Saturday to Fairchild Road near the intersection of Klinger Lake Road. Investigators said a car driven by 23-year-old Damian Long of Coldwater was heading east on Fairchild Road when it failed to negotiate a curve just before Klinger Lake …

April’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County was four-tenths of a percent lower than the previous month. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed the county’s 3.3 percent April unemployment rate marked a decrease from March’s 3.7 percent. St. Joseph County was below the state unemployment average, which was 4 percent in April. …

Two people were taken into custody following a reckless-driving incident last week in and around Three Rivers. According to Three Rivers police, the department was notified around 4:30 p.m. Thursday of a reckless driver on U.S. 131 in Three Rivers. Officers pursued the vehicle until it struck another car near Marcellus Road. The driver and passenger of the suspect car …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department has removed postings at the county’s public accesses, where boaters had been requested to reduce their wake. Water levels remain high on many county lakes, however, and operators of boats and personal watercraft should be aware that if they are operating in a manner that causes property damage, they may still be subject to …

Sturgis Missionary Church has announced it will have a volunteer and computer available starting next month for anyone needing assistance with paperwork or internet access. Starting June 8, help will be available for anyone who needs assistance applying for services, housing, online job applications or printing materials. Volunteers will even offer assistance with filling out print-job applications and creating resumes. …