News

An area priest who resigned following investigation into inappropriate use of church funds has been charged with embezzling more than $100,000. Richard Fritz is due back in court later this month, after an arraignment in April in St. Joseph County District Court. Michigan State Police investigated the case and submitted their findings to the Branch County prosecutor in February, requesting …

Glen Oaks Community College staged its 49th commencement ceremony Friday. In all, 112 of the college’s 152 graduates took part in Friday’s ceremony. College officials said the youngest graduate was 18, the oldest 58 and average age of graduates was 24 1/2. Three dual-enrollment students and one Early Middle College student were a part of the ceremony. Glen Oaks President …

A Porter Township man died last week after a tree he was cutting down fell on him. Cass County Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called to the 12000 block of Old 112 shortly after 2 p.m. Friday. Deputies arrived to find 83-year-old Gordon Jackson deceased. An investigation at the scene along with physical evidence indicated that Jackson was in …

A Community Development Block grant application for a brew pub in downtown Three Rivers was approved Tuesday by the Three Rivers City Commission. The $365,788 CDBG was being sought by Landmark Tap House and Grille, which is slated to open in a three-storefront location North Main Street early next year. Specifically, it is targeted for an area that included Pub …

State police investigators are looking into the theft of three off-road vehicles stolen last week in Constantine Township. Sometime between April 28 and 30, an unlocked shed in the 14000 block of Drummond Road was entered. A pair of quads and a three-wheeler were taken. The four-wheelers are a Yamaha and a Polaris. The three-wheeler is a blue and yellow Yamaha, …

The Schoolcraft Police Department was called early Thursday in response to a break-in at Marjo’s Restaurant. Chief Bryan Campbell said video surveillance shows a white man wearing a hoodie forced open the front door, which triggered the restaurant’s alarm. The incident occurred at 2:24 a.m. Thursday. The suspect fled on foot but not before taking an undisclosed quantity of quarters …

Three Rivers firefighters last week dismantled an active meth lab inside a van. According to a police department media release, officers Friday evening observed a van that had been under surveillance for suspected drug activity. It was stopped on Railroad Drive near West Michigan Avenue. Three men were inside and officers quickly determined K9 Django was needed to confirm the …

A Three Rivers juvenile was detained by police after he was found to be in possession of a gun. According to a department media release, officers were called April 29 to the Thomas Street Apartments in response to a report of someone in possession of a firearm. Officers eventually found the two juveniles, though not before one fled on foot. …

Organizers of last weekend’s “Empty the Shelter” program in Cass County declared the event a success. Sheriff Richard Behnke and Animal Control Director Ronald Butts said the shelter was open to all who were in attendance wanting to spend some time with a cat or dog that they would potentially like to take home. Shelter staff members worked with more …

School officials in White Pigeon and Constantine can start planning a variety of projects, as voters in the two school systems approved proposals Tuesday. Meanwhile, a sinking-fund millage request sought by Sturgis Public Schools failed Tuesday, the second defeat in less than nine months. In White Pigeon, a funding source that generates nearly $5 million over its five-year life was …