News

A Centreville Elementary School teacher is a finalist for a competition staged by the Detroit Red Wings hockey club. Special education teacher Alyssa Henneman is one of three remaining teachers from a field of 75 candidates for the “Best in Class” teacher-recognition program, sponsored in part by Meijer. As a result of Henneman advancing to the finals, she was awarded …

After COVID, a number of false starts, a variety of setbacks and lingering questions by a minority of the county’s board of commissioners, the county courts building project is about to begin. A budget of $14 million has been set, though its estimated price tag is $12.5 million. County Administrator Teresa Cupp said the public will see construction equipment on …

Three Rivers Police Department K-9 Officer Goose will soon receive a bullet- and stab-protective vest. Agency officials said the protective gear is being offered through Vested Interest In K9’s, a charitable organization. Delivery of the equipment is expected in June. Vested Interest In K9’s was established in 2009. Its mission is to provide bullet- and stab-protective vests, and other assistance …

A proposal for a new, larger Shell gas station at a busy intersection in Vicksburg cleared its first hurdle recently, as members of the Vicksburg Village Council OK’d a rezoning request. Despite pleas from more than a dozen area residents urging denial, the request was approved unanimously. The Vicksburg Planning Commission on Feb. 9 recommended the request, albeit by a …

Three Rivers Area Community Foundation has partnered with St. Joseph County United Way to deliver recovery resources where they are needed most. With support from the Sturgis Area Community Foundation, a combined $20,000 grant has been awarded to St. Joseph County United Way to assist individuals and families impacted by the March 6 storm. The tornado impacted more than 350 …

Branch County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded last week to a report of a vehicle that was driven into Coldwater Lake. Sheriff Fred Blankenship said central dispatch received a call shortly before 12:30 a.m. March 14 at Centennial Road and Warren Road in Ovid Township. Investigators said a 19-year-old woman from Benton Harbor was driving south on Centennial Road when she …

A Cass County man who was one of more than two dozen known victims of a lottery scam will receive some level of justice after the perpetrators behind the fraud were recently sentenced. A 37-year-old Florida woman will spend three years in prison for her role in a years-long scam that defrauded millions of dollars. The Cass County man was …

South Michigan Food Bank has announced that a monthly Mobile Market program begins next week. Fresh produce, dairy and meal kits will be available at the April 2 distribution. The recurring event takes place at two area locations the first Thursday of the month, starting in April and concluding in October. Pick-up locations are from 9 to 11 a.m. at …

A fourth daily flight to Detroit’s Metro Airport from Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport begins in June. AZO Director Craig Williams said Delta Airlines is offering the additional flight starting June 7. Williams said the fourth daily flight offers travelers more schedule options and shorter, more efficient layover opportunities, and improved connections through Delta’s Detroit hub. The new flight will depart …

St. Joseph County Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman said he wants to make the public aware of a health situation in order to end rumors and speculation. Stutesman last week issued a statement on his Facebook page, where he said he has a rare sarcoma cancer growth in his left thigh. Stutesman said he noticed the growth in November. Treatment …