News

St. Joseph County is home to a state championship team. Mendon High School’s varsity softball claimed the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s Div. 4 title Saturday. The Lady Hornets topped five-time defending champion Unionville-Sebewaing, 11-1, in a mercy-rule-shortened contest in East Lansing. The title is Mendon’s first in softball. Mendon set the tone early by scoring four runs in the …

Schoolcraft municipal officials are accepting entries for the village’s annual Fourth of July parade. Categories include antique/classic auto, antique tractor, themed float, equestrian, patriotic, marching band, dance teams and sports teams. The 97th Independence Day parade is July 4 and free to enter. Other activities in Schoolcraft that day include the Firecracker 5 Run, car show, bake sale and pancake …

Mayor Tom Lowry and members of the Three Rivers City Commission recently approved the municipality’s $10.3 million general-fund budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year. The city’s 12-month fiscal year begins July 1. According to the Watershed Voice, city officials said the budget maintains existing service levels without increasing taxes. City Manager Joe Bippus said the general-fund budget includes: $3.1 million …

Two local organizations have teamed up to form a support group for family members and friends of people who have died by suicide. Pivotal and Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors have created “Suicide Loss Survivor Support Group.” In-person meetings are held monthly in Three Rivers and Sturgis. The group meets in Three Rivers the second Monday of the month at …

Turning now to sports, Mendon varsity softball has earned its place in Michigan High School Athletic Association’s Final Four after a Division 4 quarterfinal win earlier this week. The Lady Hornets shut-out Manchester, 11-0, Tuesday. The 33-2 Lady Hornets face 27-7 Hillman at 12:30 Friday afternoon at Michigan State University. The winner takes on the victor from the Unionville-Sebewaing versus …

Schoolcraft municipal officials are reviewing a Michigan Department of Transportation proposal calling for a crosswalk between two points on opposite sides of U.S. 131. During their May meeting, village council members were addressed by MDOT’s Brian Barnes. Barnes said the proposed crosswalk would connect Bud’s bar at the east side of the route to Kalamazoo County State Bank to the …

Vicksburg residents donated more than 4,500 pounds of unexpired, non-perishable food during the United States Postal Service food drive last month. The annual, nationwide event helped provide 4,575 pounds of food for the South County Community Service Food Pantry, thanks to the local effort. Pantry officials expressed their gratitude to the postal service and volunteers who helped collect, sort and …

Burr Oak Community Schools Board of Education members have started the process of replacing superintendent Kristina Owens. The first two of five candidates were interviewed Monday. They were Benton Harbor Area Schools Superintendent Kelvin Butts and Scott Henwood, L’Anse Middle School principal. Interviews continue this afternoon, starting at 5:30 with Howard Edwards, director of school learning at South Bend Community …

Last week’s scheduled pre-hearing conference involving St. Joseph County Prosecutor Deb Davis was postponed again. Davis was slated to take part Thursday in a virtual conference involving the Michigan Attorney Discipline Board and its legal representative, Austin Blessing-Nelson. The proceeding was originally scheduled for March 24. The issue centers on Davis during her time as assistant prosecuting attorney. It is …

Voting for the 4th of July King and Queen is now underway in Colon. The annual fundraiser continues with four king and four queen candidates. They are: Brayton Thurston, Dalton Williams, Colin Trattles, Ayden Delp, Raegan Thaxton, Peigfhton Stouder, Ruby Bower and Kylie Kyle. The public is invited to vote; cost is a penny per vote. All proceeds will be …