News

The Michigan Department of Education is asking educators, administrators, students and parents to help it find the next “Michigan Teacher of the Year.” Sponsored by the Meemic Foundation, the award recognizes outstanding educational leaders across Michigan for their work to elevate the teaching profession. Michigan Teachers of the Year have been recognized since 1952. The honor is part of the …

Lighting at Sturges-Young Auditorium will get an upgrade by late November, following action Monday by Sturgis City Commission. Commissioners approved the purchase of stage LED lighting equipment and installation from Stage Lighting & Sound for $115,000. In addition, the electrical system will be updated to separate lighting from the rest of the wiring at the auditorium. Current fixtures are original …

State Sen. John Proos recently presented a catalpa tree sapling to St. Joseph County Undersheriff Mark Lillywhite. The sheriff’s department will be working with the county to determine the best location to plant the tree. Proos said catalpas are flowering trees that grow up to 60 feet high or more and provide plenty of shade. He said it was an …

The Three Rivers Health Auxiliary team has announced five area recipients to receive its annual medical scholarship award. Receiving $1,000 scholarships are Andrew Coney of Three Rivers, Maegan Saunders and Brittney Baechler of White Pigeon, Erin Garbine of Sturgis and Lindsay Walker of Marcellus. The Three Rivers Health Auxiliary has continued its tradition of naming medical-scholarship award winners over the …

A downtown business building collapsed in a northern Indiana town as a fire burned for several hours, causing firefighters to drain much of the community’s water supply. The fire broke out Tuesday morning, and fire crews from several surrounding communities joined in trying to get it extinguished. The roof and front facade collapsed from a building housing a Family Dollar …

A St. Joseph County judge has ordered a stay related to proceedings of a proposed sports complex in the city of Three Rivers. District Court Judge Jeff Middleton on Monday oversaw the hearing regarding the June 21 decision by the Michigan Boundary Commission. The state agency ruled in favor of the city of Three Rivers and its right to annex …

Saturday’s 34th annual Sturgis Toy Run raised more than $2,600 and an abundance of toys to be distributed to St. Joseph County kids this Christmas. The motorcycle rally attracted 125 bikers, who made the 60-mile trek around the county as a way of bringing awareness to the benevolent event. Toy Run president Victor Hargett said the field where the Toy …

The St. Joseph County Conservation District staged its final river cleanup of the season Saturday with a joint effort by two groups. More than two dozen people took part in an effort on the Prairie River. One group started at the Centreville Canoe Park at the north end of the village, ending at Hoshel Road Canoe Park. The other group, …

A Cassopolis man was injured in a one-vehicle accident last week in Cass County’s Penn Township. Sheriff’s department officials were called at 7:55 a.m. Friday to Kelsey Lake Street, near Griffiths Road, in response to a car that had crashed into a tree. Investigators found that a sport-utility vehicle driven by 23-year-old John Sylvia was heading west on Kelsey Lake …

A benefit staged last week by a Sturgis business and the St. Joseph County United Way netted $1,300 for Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. Sturgis Media Group and the Centreville-based agency over the course of three hours Friday evening collected donations and proceeds from the sale of hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, soft pretzels, baked goods and other foods. Kelly Hostetler, executive …