News

Fair Housing Center of Southwest Michigan will not launch an investigation of Sturgis city zoning ordinances following the city’s rejection of a rental duplex for homeless individuals sought by Keystone Place. Bob Ells, executive director of the nine-county FHC, said FHC officials recently met with city representatives to review the Sturgis Planning Commission’s mid-March decision and FHC has no plans …

Cass County Sheriff Joseph Underwood Jr. reports that his office is investigating a homicide on Flanders Street in Wayne Township, which is east of the City of Dowagiac. Cass County Central Dispatch received a 9-1-1 call from a residence at 24639 Flanders Street at approximately 9:39pm Tuesday. The caller advised that there were shots fired in the residence and there …

A Three Rivers Middle School faculty member was named the district’s 2015 Educator of the Year. During last week’s annual Senior Honors Night, Alicia Turner was announced as the recipient of the annual honor. Turner, a 10-year employee of the Three Rivers district, teaches middle school math. She previously was a fifth-grade teacher at Park Elementary. Committee members charged with …

A Mendon Township woman who heads the St. Joseph County Conservation District Board has called her four-day, 60-mile walk around St. Joseph County a success. Carol Higgins, who embarked Wednesday on the journey and finished Saturday at Colon Community Park, said she staged the event to bring awareness and potential funding to local conservation causes spearheaded by the Centreville-based agency. …

State police officials arrested a man connected to a case involving breaking-and-entering incidents and the theft of a motor vehicle in Leonidas Township. Troopers said breaking-and-entering incidents between midnight and 9 a.m. Saturday were reported in Branch County’s Sherwood Township as well as locations along Shorts Road and Factoryville Road in Leonidas Township. A minivan was reported stolen from one …

A small town in southwest Michigan is waiting eagerly to learn whether it set a world record with the construction of an 1,800 foot ice cream sundae.  Volunteers in Nashville worked for about 10 minutes Saturday assembling what organizers hope will be declared the world’s longest ice cream sundae. The sweet feat  included 192 scoops ice cream and countless amounts …

The mother of three Michigan boys missing since Thanksgiving 2010 says she now believes they’re dead.  Tanya Zuvers says she’s hanging on to a sliver of hope but she’s almost certain they’re dead.  The boys were last seen at their father’s home in Morenci, near the Michigan-Ohio border. Tanner Skelton was 5, Alexander Skelton was 7 and Andrew Skelton was …

Pam Carrel, Glen Oaks Community College instructor of nursing, has been selected as the recipient of the 2015-16 E. J. Shaheen Teaching Excellence Award. Announcement of the award was made by school President David Devier during the 47th Glen Oaks graduation ceremony Friday. When Carrel enrolled at Glen Oaks Community College in 1978 she was set on becoming a marching …

Three World War II veterans from Southwest Michigan joined state Rep. Aaron Miller at the Capitol Thursday to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Allied victory in Europe. Miller invited the veterans and their families to join him and Brig. Gen. Len Isabelle at the Capitol, where they were introduced in the House and Senate chambers. Rep. Miller said he …

State game area managers with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources are seeking public input on several draft master plans for state game areas located in the southwestern region of the state, including one that straddles Cass and St. Joseph counties. Steve Chadwick, supervisor for the DNR Wildlife Division’s southwestern region, said the master plans are important in guiding habitat …