News

The St. Joseph County Transportation Authority saw a ridership increase during its 2014-15 fiscal year compared to a year earlier. Steve Yorks, executive director of the Three Rivers-based agency, said 97,506 rides were given during the 12-month period that ended Sept. 30. That figure tops the 95,942 rides given the previous fiscal year. Yorks said the CTA has maintained a …

Sunday’s annual Three Rivers Area Fall Color Tour was hailed a success by the event’s organizers as well as its participants. Tour coordinator Christy Trammell said hundreds of people took part in the self-guided tour, which featured 13 stops spread throughout western St. Joseph and eastern Cass counties. Trammell said the event was blessed to have perfect weather, which contributed …

A 43-year-old Burr Oak man is in stable condition after he was struck by a car over the weekend in Burr Oak Township. Sheriff’s officials said 56-year-old Kevin Mayer, of Sturgis, was driving north on Burr Oak Road shortly after 9 p.m. Saturday when he was unable to avoid striking Ricaurte Hernandez, who was lying in the roadway, south of …

St. Joseph County’s board of commissioners last week agreed to extend its auditing services for one year with a Jackson-based firm. The county and Rehmann Robson concluded a three-year contract with the company’s performance of the county’s 2014 audit. County administrator Pat Yoder said finance director Joni Smith recommended the county renew its contract with the company for one year …

Congratulations to residents of the entire Three Rivers surrounding area for their superb fundraising on behalf of the American Cancer Society. The 2015 Relay for Life event netted a record high $140,396 for the ACS – the 13th highest revenue event in Michigan. Teams from Three Rivers, Centreville, Mendon and Constantine held fundraisers and solicited friends and family for donations. …

A White Pigeon teenager was treated for minor injuries after causing a two-vehicle accident last week in Cass County’s Porter Township. Cass County Deputy Philip Esarey said sheriff’s deputies responded to the intersection of Bellows and Sweet roads at 3:15 p.m. Friday following a report of a personal-injury accident. Deputies said a northbound vehicle driven by Sara Messenger, 17, crossed …

The Michigan Main Street Center has awarded its third and final Design Assistance service of the 2015 fiscal year to Bruce Monroe, property owner of the “Kelsey Block,” at 39 through 43 North Main Street in downtown Three Rivers. As part of the service, Monroe received an on-site consultation with Michigan Main Street Design Specialist Debra Johnson, as well as …

A Three Rivers couple was the first to take advantage of the White Pigeon Township Pet Cemetery. Chico, a chihuahua belonging to William and Deb Arnold, was buried Tuesday in the newly created pet section. When Chico died in January, his remains were preserved until the Arnolds learned about the new pet section at White Pigeon Township Cemetery, which was …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is encouraging all tri-county residents to protect themselves this winter by getting flu shots as soon as possible. Steve Todd, Health Officer for the tri-county health department said the availability and affordability of the vaccine make it easier than ever for protection from the flu. Todd said flu shots are encouraged for people aged …

The man accused of murdering 11-year-old Jodi Parrack in Constantine eight years ago was in court this week in St. Joseph County. Daniel Furlong, 65, waived his preliminary investigation Wednesday in District Court. The move is related to Furlong’s charges of unlawful imprisonment and assault with a dangerous weapon from a July 28 incident with a 10-year-old girl at what …