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A partner in a Three Rivers legal firm has joined St. Joseph County’s contract defender system. Following action by county commissioners Wednesday, Laurie Hines will join the court rotation as a public defender. She replaces David Tomlinson, whose services are no longer available through the system due to his election as Probate Court judge. Hines is a partner with the …

A panel discussion on the effects of global warming will follow Sunday’s matinee presentation of the movie “Chasing Ice,” to be shown at 3 p.m. at the Riviera Theatre in downtown Three Rivers. Organized by Mendon Township environmentalist Carol Higgins and Sturgis resident Rob Sisson, Sunday’s session will be moderated by local personality Bruce Snook. Sisson, president of ConservAmerica, a …

Three Rivers Police Chief Tom Bringman said area residents should take extra care in making sure their vehicles are locked overnight. Bringman said his warning comes on the heels of a rash of break-ins Sunday and Monday, centered in the city’s First District. Chief Bringman said 10 incidents were reported over the course of the two days, and it’s likely …

In a housekeeping matter Wednesday, the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners agreed to keep its twice-a-month meetings at 5 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Also, executive committee meetings – during which matters on the county commission meeting agenda are discussed in detail – will remain at 8 a.m. the Friday before a county commission meeting. …

Francua has a new home! Hi, I am Walter. I am a six year old Lab/Rott mix but I must have something else in me because I am not a very big boy. I know things like sit and shake and would love to learn more fun stuff to please my people. I need new people, someone who will always …

Sturgis resident and former mayor John Dobberteen was selected Wednesday to succeed Rick Shaffer as chairman of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. By unanimous vote, the 53-year-old Dobberteen was chosen to preside over the five-member board for 2013. As chairman, Dobberteen’s primary duty will require him to facilitate the board’s twice-a-month meetings. Dobberteen, a plumbing inspector, joined the …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a hit-and-run incident that took place early Sunday in Mendon Township. According to a department media release, a motorist heading north on Silver Street failed to stop at Michigan Avenue and struck a cement wall at the north end of the three-way intersection. The incident, which occurred around 1 a.m., damaged the …

A 31-year-old Coldwater man was pulled from a lake in Branch County after he fell through ice earlier this week. According to the Michigan State Police post in Coldwater, the victim fell through ice on Rose Lake around 10:45 a.m. Tuesday in Ovid Township. Quick-thinking residents created a rescue device, using a life preserver and marine rope, and the mechanism …

St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners has decided to not pursue a request by newly sworn-in District Court Judge Rob Pattison for new carpet in his office. Commissioners last month looked at three vendor quotes and reviewed the state of the current carpet. Ultimately, commissioners agreed the wear of the carpet in heavy foot-traffic areas was noticeable but no worse …

Sturgis Police were called to the 600-block of East West Street at 2am Thursday for a subject who had warrants and possible drug activity. When police arrived at the residence, the suspect fled the scene, running through several back yards. The subject was caught and began to fight with police. He was tased and placed into custody.