News

The Three Rivers Lions Cub is seeking donations to provide food and toys to area families. Civic group members said the club’s annual Christmas newspaper insert will not be published this year, crippling what was previously an effective medium to promote the Lions Club’s holiday project. Financial donations for the 2023 fundraiser can be sent by mail to Box 134, …

St. Joseph County Animal Control last weekend took in eight puppies found abandoned by the side of the road in Sherman Township. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman said it appears the 2-month-old puppies were intentionally left by the side of Borgert Road. A passerby reported the litter to Animal Control Sunday, Bingaman noted. The puppies have been to a veterinarian and are …

Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy has launched its year-end “Force for Nature” membership campaign. Agency officials said the goal is to continue doing critical conservation work of protecting and restoring ecologically important natural areas in southwest Michigan. As part of the Force for Nature membership campaign, current and past SWMLC Board members have joined to pledge $150,000 toward meeting a $400,000 …

A jury has convicted a Cass County man of sexual assault following an August 2022 incident at his Dowagiac residence. Prosecutor Victor Fitz said Robert Schmeltz, 58, was convicted earlier this month. He was found guilty of third-degree criminal sexual conduct. According to court testimony, Schmeltz was arrested after assaulting a 65-year-old woman working in the capacity of a home …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating the larceny of a catalytic converter from a vehicle in Branch County’s Coldwater Township. Investigators said the incident occurred that occurred between Nov. 13 and Nov. 17 in the 600 block of Chicago Street. The catalytic converter was stolen off a 2008 Ford Cutaway work truck.

Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce, Centreville Downtown Development Authority and municipal officials welcomed Nottawa Gas to its new location last week. A ceremonial ribbon cutting Friday afternoon commemorated the relocated business, which moved from its 29-year spot in Nottawa Township near the northwest corner of M-66 and M-86. It is now in Centreville’s business park, at the east end …

A Colon man was injured in a single-vehicle crash over the weekend in Cass County’s Porter Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were dispatched shortly before 5:30 a.m. Sunday to the intersection of Lewis Lake Road and Hodgson Street. Investigators concluded 19-year-old Caiden Adams was traveling south on Lewis Lake Road when he lost control of his vehicle, which left …

A 911 call center on Monday took some responsibility for an Amtrak train derailment last week in southwestern Michigan, saying it misidentified a crossing and contacted a different railroad to warn that a car was stuck on tracks. The train with 200 passengers crashed into the empty car and a tow truck Thursday night near New Buffalo. Six people on the train …

A longtime employee at a Schoolcraft-area business was ordered to pay nearly $200,000 in restitution after she was caught embezzling from the company. Sarah Lynn Bauserman, who lives in Climax, was recently convicted on one count of embezzlement and sentenced to probation through July 2026. In addition, she is required to repay $189,000, a stipulation she has since fulfilled. Bauserman …

A Three Rivers man was involved in a two-vehicle crash last week in Cass County’s LaGrange Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 2:15 p.m. Friday to the intersection of Pokagon Highway and Dailey Road. Investigators said 46-year-old Jesse James was traveling east on Pokagon Highway, while 29-year-old Mishawaka resident Marcus Nelson was driving northbound on Dailey Road. …