News

Colon High School’s Quarterback Club is hosting a bingo-night fundraiser. Tickets are $20. The event starts at 6 p.m. March 7 at the Colon American Legion. All proceeds benefit the Magi Football program. Donated prizes will be awarded throughout the evening A pulled-pork dinner will be available for a cost of $7. Tickets for bingo are available in advance from …

A Battle Creek man has been arraigned on charges following an alleged incident with a minor. Officials from the Branch County Prosecutor’s Office said Noble Vater Lebron, a 23-year-old theater director, is charged with felony counts of third-degree, criminal-sexual conduct with a minor and accosting a child for immoral purposes. County officials said Lebron allegedly had sexual contact in November …

Centreville High School’s Future Farmers of America is staging a fundraiser to support the county-wide agriculture education program. The 2026 Fresh Strawberry and Barn Jam Salsa Sale offers a number of products, from various flavored jams, pickles and jalapeno honey mustard to sauces, salsa and fresh strawberries. Prices range from $28 for eight pounds of Florida strawberries to $10 for …

A Union City man who fled the country after facing charges of criminal-sexual conduct has been sentenced to prison. Anthony Cuyler, 48, was sentenced to more than 50 years in prison, according to Branch County Prosecutor Zachary Stempien. Cuyler was charged with three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of delivery of methamphetamine to a minor. Stempien …

Vicksburg officials are exploring the idea of selling Angels Crossing Golf Club. Details of the proposal were laid out by Village Manager Jim Mallery during the council’s Feb. 2 meeting. Mallery said the village purchased the course out of bankruptcy around 2010. It finally turned a profit for the first time in 2015, Mallery said. He said the village’s investment …

Investigators from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department have released the identity of the woman who died in a camper fire last weekend in Lockport Township. Sheriff Chad Spence said the victim is 67-year-old Juanita Kimble, a Three Rivers-area resident. Spence said emergency personnel were dispatched late Friday to the 57000 block of Mitchell Street, near the Three Rivers airport, …

Community Action is organizing a diaper drive for eligible St. Joseph County residents. Agency officials ask that anyone interested in receiving diapers to call the Community Action Sturgis Center. Its number is 659-9047. The distribution takes place at 306 S. Nottawa St., in Sturgis. It features a one-month supply of diapers or pull-ups, along with wipes. It also has help …

A Colon resident has been sentenced for embezzling more than $100,000 from customers of a local financial institution. Angela Vanderstraaten, 46, was ordered last week to serve up to 40 years, a sentence issued by St. Joseph County Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman. Vanderstraaten previously worked for eight years as a teller at Omni Credit Union in Colon, where she …

Saturday’s chili cook-off event in Three Rivers over the weekend produced a top-three lineup of winners based on a public vote. First place went to the newly opened Farrand Hall, while runner-up was GG’s Cookies. Third-place winner was Daly Dope Dispensary. A field of 10 participants representing Three Rivers-based businesses took part in the downtown-focused event, which was rescheduled from …

St. Joseph County Substance Abuse Taskforce is launching its Methamphetamine Prevention and Awareness campaign. Agency officials said the campaign is an effort to help share education and awareness in the community. Over the course of coming weeks, the taskforce will share posts to help the public understand what meth is and what resources are available. Segments of the campaign can …