News

The 167th St. Joseph County Grange Fair starts its seven-day run Sunday with a full slate of events and activities. “Family Day” will begin with antique tractor pulls at 8 a.m. in the grandstand infield. Other morning activities include 4-H horse and rabbit shows, church services at 9:30 and 11 a.m., and the midway opens at noon. Farm truck pulls …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency wishes to inform the public that a horse in St. Joseph County has tested positive for West Nile Virus. The agency was notified after the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services confirmed the condition. The equine is one of 13 in the state to test positive for the mosquito-borne disease. Health officials said …

A group of Three Rivers officials and residents staged a Signing Celebration Wednesday in hopes of placing a ballot measure before Michigan voters next year. Led by the group “Voters Not Politicians,” the effort is in support of anti-gerrymandering, the strategy of drawing political boundaries to tailor congressional and legislative districts to favor one political party over another. In order …

A newly established legacy fund, several facility improvements, a monument recognizing Vietnam veterans and the promise of plenty of live music were some of the key components noted during Wednesday’s annual Media Day Luncheon, hosted by the St. Joseph County Grange Fair Association. Fair manager Bill Johnson said the seven-day event starts Sunday and will include many of the traditional …

A Nottawa Township resident is expected to receive a much-needed gift today. The St. Joseph County Commission On Aging and a team of volunteers plans to show up at the M-86 residence and assist with building an access ramp. The ramp will allow the wheelchair-bound resident to exit and enter her residence on her own and safely. Ruth Mancina, marketing …

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 …