News

An agency that helps seniors and low-income St. Joseph County residents with overdue gas bills could have nearly $40,000 in its coffers thanks to an annual fundraiser last weekend. The 32nd “Walk For Warmth” event took place Saturday in Three Rivers. Event organizers said more than $13,000 was raised by participants and other donors. Thirty-year volunteer Rick Shaffer said additional …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the theft of a vehicle earlier this week in Mendon Township. Deputies were called shortly after 8 a.m. Monday to the 26000 block of M-60 in regards to the theft of a black, 1995 Ford F-150 pickup. Its license plate identification is DLA4333.

The designation of a stretch of East Main Street in Centreville has been changed to all-season, a move that will benefit the village’s business park and adjacent commercial operations. The announcement was made by Michigan Department of Transportation operations engineer Alissa Hubbell during Monday’s Centreville Downtown Development Authority meeting. Hubbell further announced that a similar designation upgrade was made for …

State police are investigating the theft of a four-wheeler earlier this week from a location in Mottville Township. Troopers were called at 4 p.m. Sunday to the 69000 block of Blue School Road in response to the breaking-and-entering of a barn. Upon arrival, troopers were told the incident occurred between Feb. 18 and Sunday morning. The victim told authorities the …

Three Rivers High School director of bands Bryan VanToll is appealing to the public in hopes of securing enough funding to purchase new uniforms for the school’s marching band. VanToll said a new design has been considered as part of a plan to replace 12-year-old uniforms. The cost is about $45,000 for 120 uniforms. He said an increase in band …

Fruit experts in Michigan say they’re concerned about the state’s fruit trees and bushes getting their buds out too early due to the unusually warm weather. Michigan State University Extension Service fruit educator Mark Longstroth tells MLive the warm temperatures will be “a little worrisome,” if they continue and the buds start waking up in the region’s peach trees and …

Two people, including a 4-year-old boy, died in a single-vehicle accident Sunday morning in Cass County’s Silver Creek Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly after 3 a.m. to School Street, near Tice Avenue, where a car driven by 21-year-old Jordan White of Dowagiac left the roadway and struck several trees. Investigators said it appears White was driving …

A Sturgis residence sustained smoke and water damage following a fire around 7 p.m. Saturday. Crews were dispatched to the 200 block of North Fourth Street following a report of an upstairs bedroom on fire. Sturgis Police confirmed the presence of smoke from the area in question. Firefighters were advised upon arrival that all occupants had evacuated the residence. A …

St. Joseph County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating the theft of a vehicle last week in Fabius Township. According to a department media release, deputies were called shortly before 8 a.m. Thursday to Mick’s Heating and Air, where a 1999 Ford F150 was reported stolen. The vehicle was gold in color, had red mirrors and a chrome tool box in back. …

Sturgis City Manager Mike Hughes received a 2 percent raise, retroactive to July 2016, after city commissioners last month reviewed results of a unique job performance evaluation. The pay-bump takes Hughes’ annually salary to more than $108,000. His most-previous raise was a 1.5 percent boost in 2015. Hughes said the 2 percent increase is consistent with salary hikes granted to …