News

Branch County Prosecutor’s Office has cleared officers involved in the shooting of a Sturgis man last summer. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman said a review of the case, which also involved input from Michigan State Police, concluded that the shooting death of 30-year-old David Algarin Jr. was justified. Investigators said Algarin led law-enforcement officials on a pursuit Aug. 6 that concluded in …

The National Weather Service has now surveyed the damage and confirms an EF2 tornado touched down in St. Joseph County on Tuesday. The survey team says the tornado touched down one mile south of Centreville at 5:41pm, and then tracked northeast, passed north of Colon, then crossed into Branch County. The tornado finally weakened and lifted three miles southwest of …

Great Start Collaborative and several other area agencies are asking for assistance with its monthly diaper distribution. Great Start family liaison Amanda Johnson said the diaper drive has increased its outreach, and doubled the number of families and children since February. Sixty families and 99 children were served at its April distribution. The flip side to that, Johnson said, is the …

A Vicksburg High School creative-writing teacher has been honored as an “Excellence in Education” award winner. The weekly acknowledgment is presented by Michigan State Lottery. For his recognition, David Smith received $2,000. He now becomes eligible for a $10,000 cash prize as the potential Educator of the Year recipient, an honor bestowed at the end of the academic year. Lottery …

County and local officials Wednesday morning canvassed St. Joseph County’s hardest-hit areas – Mendon, Nottawa, Colon and Leonidas townships – to gauge the degree of damage caused by what has now been confirmed as two tornadoes that touched down late Tuesday afternoon in the northeast quadrant of the county. St. Joseph County Emergency Management Director Erin Goff said in her …

Areas of St. Joseph and Branch counties, and elsewhere in Southwest Michigan, are recovering from damage caused by a fierce storm that tore through the area late Tuesday afternoon. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman reported power outages and widespread damage, including exceptionally heavy destruction in and around portions of Nottawa, Colon, and Leonidas townships in St. Joseph County. A pole barn adjacent …

Mendon Community Schools Board of Education can start its three-phase construction planning, as district voters Tuesday approved a millage-renewal request. Superintendent Leasa Griffith-Matthews said the district was seeking renewal of 8 mills over a six-year period. The $20 million proposal passed, 298 in favor to 182 opposed. Griffith-Matthews said several improvements on tap will include an addition at the middle/high …

Officials with White Pigeon Community Schools will have to assess what to do next after a millage renewal request was turned down Tuesday. At stake was renewal of eighty-five hundredths of a mill, amounting to about $2 million. Superintendent Shelly McBride said she is disappointed with the outcome and will await direction from the district’s board of education to determine …

A Three Rivers man died over the weekend as the result of a stabbing incident. Police Chief Scott Boling issued a media release Monday. He stated that the incident occurred shortly before midnight Sunday in the 300 block of Fourth Avenue. Upon arrival, officers located a 61-year-old man with stab wounds. He was airlifted to Bronson Methodist Hospital, where he …

Glen Oaks Community College has chosen its new president to succeed the retiring David Devier. College officials last week announced Bryan Newton was selected from a field of three finalists to replace Devier, who plans to step down June 30. Newton has more than two decades of service in community college administration, with an extensive background in enrollment management, student …