News

Sturgis city commissioners have vetoed a staff plan that would have revived a seven-member citizens committee to prioritize sidewalk projects and advise the commission on sidewalk policy issues. The vote was 5-4. The commissioner’s majority said they do not believe a citizens committee is necessary to prioritize sidewalk needs, instead leaving the recommendations to city staff with commissioners approving final …

THREE RIVERS, MI – Three Rivers Health is pleased to announce Jonathan Sanner, Physical Therapist – Outpatient Physical Therapy; Lisa Cooper, Physical Therapist – Inpatient Rehabilitation; Abby Bogucki, Front Desk Attendant – HealthTRAC; Vanessa Schwartz, Physical Therapy Technician – Outpatient Physical Therapy; and Erin Bozell, Practice Management Coordinator, for being selected as our Employees of the Quarter for the first …

If you’re looking for good places to find tasty morel mushrooms this spring, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is offering some hints. The DNR has an online interactive map that shows where wildfires and prescribed burns took place in 2015. Each location on the map consists of at least 10 acres. Resource protection manager Jim Fisher says morels often …

A 14-year-old girl shot in the head during a deadly rampage in southwestern Michigan says one of her goals is to eventually do cartwheels again. Abigail Kopf told ABC’s “Good Morning America” in a segment broadcast Monday that she’s a “warrior princess.” Vicki Kopf says her daughter can walk, negotiate stairs and move well on her own. Mary Free Bed …

Saturday’s household-hazardous-waste collection and electronics recycling was a record-setting event, according to its organizers. Pat Kulikowski, secretary of the St. Joseph County Solid Waste Committee, said the four-hour event at the county fairgrounds resulted in the collection of 11,000 pounds of household hazardous waste, up from about 8,500 pounds a year ago; 1,200 tires, double the amount from spring 2015; …

A member of the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office has announced her candidacy for the Three Rivers Community Schools Board of Education. Erin Harrington, 37, filed paperwork last week for the four-year term. The post will be decided in November A Portage native, Harrington is the chief assistant prosecutor and president of the county’s bar association. Harrington said she is …

The March unemployment rate in St. Joseph County increased by one-tenth of a percent compared to a month earlier. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 3.8 percent March unemployment rate was greater than February’s 3.7 percent. March’s unemployment rate was 1 percent less than the same month one year …

A team of Three Rivers High School students that spearheaded a safe-driving campaign over the past few months has been recognized for its efforts. Members found out last week they came in second place and were awarded a $1,250 cash prize. The teens facilitated three events that provided the school’s student body with tips about safe driving during the winter …

The National Rifle Association has chosen a northern Indiana gun range to host a competitive shooting championship for the next five years. Chief Wa-Ke’-De Outdoor Range held the National Smallbore Rifle Championships the last two years. The National Rifle Association called the facility “excellent” and awarded it a five-year contract for the event. The NRA also said it had “overwhelmingly …

A man accused of killing six people in southwestern Michigan has been found competent to understand the murder charges against him and assist his attorney. A judge held a brief hearing Friday to acknowledge the exam results for Jason Dalton. His criminal case in Kalamazoo was on hold for weeks while experts determined whether he understood the process. The exam …