News

Authorities say around 25,000 people took part in the annual Labor Day walk across the Mackinac Bridge during which all traffic was halted for the first time as a security precaution. The Mackinac Bridge Authority says the number of participants Monday was on the lower end. Its website says between 30,000 and 60,000 people typically take part. There were no …

If you’re a hunter who shoots deer or related animals in other states, be advised that there are new rules about bringing their parts into Michigan. The tougher regulations are intended to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease among Michigan’s deer, elk, and moose. The illness attacks the central nervous system of animals in the deer family and can eventually kill …

The Three Rivers Public Library Board has agreed to follow through on the purchase of the Southern Michigan Bank and Trust building. Board members said the building purchase price is $350,000. Additional funds will have to be allocated from its $1.2 million budget for first-floor renovations and improvements elsewhere in the building. The board has authorized Arkos Design of Mishawaka …

Members of the Centreville Village Council have accepted a bid for the sale of timber. Indiana Wood Products’ bid of nearly $52,000 was accepted for trees on village property behind the St. Joseph County Fairgrounds. The selective harvest will include mature trees, as well as trees that have been blown over, trees declining in health, poorly formed trees and low-value …

Two Cass County residents were arrested on drug-related offenses last week in the community of Vandalia. According to a department media release, the Cass County Drug Enforcement Team served a search warrant Thursday in the 16000 block of Hodgson Street. While searching the residence, detectives located various pieces of paraphernalia for the use of methamphetamine. During the investigation, a-30-year-old male …

A plan to find a successor for Pat Yoder as county administrator was set in motion this week. During Wednesday’s executive committee meeting, commissioners agreed to advertise the job for a two-week period on the county’s website. Human resources director Teresa Doehring was named assistant county administrator in May 2016 and has served as Yoder’s protégé since then. Though Doehring …

Investigators from Michigan State Police are appealing to the public for help with solving a two-year-old homicide case. Troopers responded Sept. 1, 2015, to 13110 Riverside Drive in Constantine Township, where a family member discovered Lavern Chupp deceased in his residence. He was the owner of Chupp Construction and numerous rental properties in and around the area. Although his residence …

As a follow-up to last week’s Farm-to-Table meal, the St. Joseph County Commission on Aging wishes to thank a number of supporters and donors. Nearly 500 meals were served at COA’s three meal locations, which are in Three Rivers, Sturgis and at Kline’s Resort, as well as the agency’s Meals on Wheels recipients. All food prepared and served last Friday …

Officials from the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency continue to investigate incidents of pertussis in St. Joseph County. About 320 people have been treated with antibiotics in the past month, according to Val Newton, prevention services director. Occurrences began in June, then spread. Newton said treatment has been confined to the Amish community, with one exception. The Amish family volunteered …

A White Pigeon High School graduate last weekend claimed the crown of Mrs. America. The former Mekayla Diehl claimed the crown at the Westgate Resort and Casino from a field of 51 contestants Saturday. Mekayla Eppers, a Bristol resident, represented Indiana, as she did during the Miss USA competition in 2015. The 28-year-old Eppers qualified for the Mrs. America pageant …