News

Litigation regarding the proposed development of a multi-sports athletic complex in the Three Rivers area has forced county officials to make a few amendments to its facility agreement. During Wednesday’s county commission executive committee meeting, commissioners agreed to vote on the amendments at next week’s board meeting. County administrator Pat Yoder said time-sensitive dates had to be revised because of …

Reimbursement for college tuition will become an easier process for county employees, pending action taken by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. A matter discussed during this week’s county commission executive committee centered on making the process of applying for reimbursement an easier procedure, Pat Yoder, county administrator, said a few of the likely changes include a provision that …

A 38-year-old New York woman suffered serious injuries in a crash earlier this week in White Pigeon Township. The incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. State police said the woman was driving east on U. S. 12 near Oakwood Drive when her vehicle veered off the road and struck a tree. She had to be extricated from the vehicle and …

Up-Cycled Pets, a Three Rivers-based organization, is issuing a public appeal in hopes of generating some much-needed donations. The agency has a vision to save the less-than-perfect pets in need of fostering by reaching out to animal control in order to save animals that cannot adjust to kennel life. It has also helped dogs from families losing their homes. It …

Authorities say they have five suspects in the 1983 death of a teenager who may have been intentionally struck by a vehicle in southwestern Michigan. Kalamazoo County Undersheriff Paul Matyas tells WOOD-TV the case has been forwarded to prosecutors for possible charges. Sheriff’s investigators have said they believe 16-year-old Erik Cross was intentionally struck by a vehicle near Vicksburg. Erik’s …

St. Joseph County appears ready to part ways with its longtime medical examiner, John Robertson. The issue was discussed during Wednesday’s county commission executive committee meeting, where prosecutor John McDonough proposed aligning with a Kalamazoo County-based source for M.E. services. McDonough introduced Joyce deJong, medical examiner of Kalamazoo County and three other counties. She is also pathology chair and professor …

A Sherman Township official has pleaded not guilty to a charge of embezzlement of more than $1,000 but less than $20,000 from a charitable organization. Bruce Bart, 49, appeared Tuesday before St. Joseph County District Court Judge Jeff Middleton for arraignment after a notice to appear was issued by prosecutor John McDonough. According to court officials, Bart is accused of …

The Three Rivers Department of Public Services has announced the start date of its twice-a-year hydrant flushing. The flushing will begin at 11 p.m. Monday next week. DPS officials said they expect flushing to continue through May 6, with the work taking place Sundays thru Thursdays from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Due to many variables, the department is not …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency wishes to remind parents and caregivers of techniques that can help to substantially reduce the infant death rate in the three-county region and across the state. After years of significant decline, Michigan’s infant-death rate has held relatively steady since 2004, indicating that not all parents and caregivers are getting the message about safe sleep …

Callers can be heard pleading to 911 dispatchers for help after a woman was shot outside an apartment complex during one of three shootings that left six people dead and two wounded in the Kalamazoo, Michigan, area in February. The 911 calls were released Tuesday. In one, a woman can be heard telling a shooting victim, “Please don’t move. They’re …