News

Here’s information related to the “Meet Up and Eat Up” summer food program for schoolkids. Burr Oak School offers lunch 11:30 to 12:30 through Aug. 11. Centreville Public Schools serves breakfast 8 to 9 a.m. and lunch 11 a.m. to noon through Aug. 3 at its elementary school. Colon Elementary hosts breakfast 8-8:30 a.m. and lunch from 11 to 11:30 …

St. Joseph County Conservation District Executive Director Carolyn Grace recently addressed county commissioners regarding highlights from the past year. During the commission’s monthly meeting last week, Grace said the conservation district received grants to target invasive species, fund macroinvertebrate collection and support five river cleanup events. Grace said the agency’s services to the community include irrigation-pivot evaluations, monitoring of five …

A Colon man accused of killing his girlfriend in October 2021 will serve at least seven years in prison. Michael Lafler, 37, was sentenced Friday to between seven and 15 years by Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman. Lafler’s sentencing was in connection to the death of 33-year-old Chelsea Wallen, who died at the Colon residence she shared with Lafler. Prosecutor …

Organizers of this weekend’s Pride Fest in Three Rivers said the one-day celebration was well received and well attended. Co-organizer Cameron Mains estimated more than 1,000 people showed up Saturday to the downtown celebration, promoting diversity and acceptance. Live music, dozens of vendors, food and numerous other attractions were a part of the inaugural event. It concluded with Kitten’s Drag …

Four men were injured after the off-road vehicle they were in crashed over the weekend in Cass County’s Penn Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly after 8:30 p.m. Saturday to the 16000 block of Donnell Lake Street regarding a crash with injuries. The vehicle was driven by 34-year-old Ryan Chris of Vandalia. Authorities said Chris lost control …

May’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County increased by one percent from April. Figures from the monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget show St. Joseph County’s unemployment rate rose from 3.4 percent in April to 4.4 percent in May. St. Joseph County’s May 2022 unemployment rate was 4.2 percent. In addition, Cass County also …

The use of handheld cellphones while driving a car will be outlawed in Michigan, and will take effect this Friday, June 30th, under legislation signed earlier this month by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. The new law will expand Michigan’s ban on texting and driving to apply to all handheld cellphone use while operating a motor vehicle, including making calls or scrolling …

Michigan Department of Transportation construction engineer Christopher Jacobs has provided a weekly update on the U.S. 131 project. Recently completed work includes guardrail removal and ditching to an area north of Flowerfield Road. Jacobs said crews this week have started paving hot-mix asphalt. The two-week outlook includes work continuing northbound in the median and on crossovers. Also, storm-sewer work and …

Two Sturgis residents are expected to be charged with drug-related offenses following an incident earlier this week. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman said deputies stopped a motorcycle Sunday on Lafayette Street in Sturgis city limits. Through the stop, deputies found the driver to be in possession of crystal methamphetamine. After further investigation, deputies conducted a search warrant in the 500 block of …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has created an online scheduling link for curbside, confidential, HIV testing. Next Tuesday, June 27, is National HIV Testing Day. Residents can request an appointment for testing at our Coldwater, Hillsdale or Three Rivers locations by logging on to the website: bhsj.org/HIV. Agency officials said one in seven people living with HIV are unaware …