Recent Posts

Suspected tornadoes hit local area

Areas of St. Joseph and Branch counties, and elsewhere in Southwest Michigan, are recovering from damage caused by a fierce storm that tore through the area late Tuesday afternoon. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman reported power outages and widespread damage, including exceptionally heavy destruction in and around portions of Nottawa, Colon, and Leonidas townships in St. Joseph County. A pole barn adjacent …

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Mendon schools – Millage renewal approved

Mendon Community Schools Board of Education can start its three-phase construction planning, as district voters Tuesday approved a millage-renewal request. Superintendent Leasa Griffith-Matthews said the district was seeking renewal of 8 mills over a six-year period. The $20 million proposal passed, 298 in favor to 182 opposed. Griffith-Matthews said several improvements on tap will include an addition at the middle/high …

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White Pigeon schools – Millage renewal turned down

Officials with White Pigeon Community Schools will have to assess what to do next after a millage renewal request was turned down Tuesday. At stake was renewal of eighty-five hundredths of a mill, amounting to about $2 million. Superintendent Shelly McBride said she is disappointed with the outcome and will await direction from the district’s board of education to determine …

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Fatal stabbing incident in Three Rivers

A Three Rivers man died over the weekend as the result of a stabbing incident. Police Chief Scott Boling issued a media release Monday. He stated that the incident occurred shortly before midnight Sunday in the 300 block of Fourth Avenue. Upon arrival, officers located a 61-year-old man with stab wounds. He was airlifted to Bronson Methodist Hospital, where he …

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Out and About – Week of May 6th

One hundred and twenty-six lucky people took a FREE trip around the world Saturday, April 27. They did this by way of a concert performed by the Kalamazoo Ringers of Kalamazoo. “TO THE WORLD: PEACE was the theme of the concert, which featured music from Israel, Thailand, Jamaica, Ireland, Africa, Italy and the United States. Martha Matthews directed the seventeen …

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Glen Oaks chooses next president

Glen Oaks Community College has chosen its new president to succeed the retiring David Devier. College officials last week announced Bryan Newton was selected from a field of three finalists to replace Devier, who plans to step down June 30. Newton has more than two decades of service in community college administration, with an extensive background in enrollment management, student …

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Three Rivers man injured in Cass County crash

A Three Rivers man was injured in a personal-injury crash over the weekend in Cass County’s Porter Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were dispatched shortly after 9 p.m. Saturday to an area near the intersection of U.S. 12 and Robbins Lake Road. Investigators said 36-year-old Joshua Leszczewski was negotiating a curve when his vehicle crossed the center line. His …

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Police search for suspect in thefts cases

A man riding a red bicycle is considered a suspect related to the larceny of items from motor vehicles last week in Sturgis Township. Michigan State Police troopers said several items were taken between 2:25 a.m. and shortly after 5 a.m. Tuesday in the 26000 block of U.S. 12. Security surveillance confirmed a person on a bicycle in the vicinity …

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Recycling event wrap up

Thursday’s collection of household hazardous waste and electronics recycling was labeled “average” by event organizers. Pat Kulikowski, St. Joseph County Solid Waste Committee secretary, said the four-hour collection at the St. Joseph County Fairgrounds got off to a strong start then slowed considerably around the halfway point. Initial figures show 8,000 pounds of household hazardous waste was collected, while about …

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Schoolcraft – US-131 construction update

The Michigan Department of Transportation’s Chris Jacobs has issued the agency’s first update regarding the second phase of U.S. 131 construction. Work, which started April 15, is concentrated to an area that includes the village of Schoolcraft and an area north to Shaver Road. According to Jacobs, southbound lane closures and a detour are in place at the north end …

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