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Two people died late Saturday afternoon in a Porter Township house fire. The victims have been identified as 69-year-old Patricia Cloud, and Brandon Cloud, age 37. Cass County Sheriff Richard Behnke said they were unable to escape their burning home, located in the 70000-block of Tharp Lake Road, west of Union. The investigation continues.

Thanksgiving 2020 is now in the history books. If you decided to ignore the advise of the Health Department and traveled to visit family, I wish you the best of health. Hopefully, you didn’t inherit the virus, or share it with any family members. For those who heeded the Health Department’s advise and stayed home alone, I commend you for …

It appears St. Joseph County’s contract with Western Michigan University for medical examiner services will be renewed. During their executive committee meeting Wednesday, county commissioners recommended continuing their contract with Western’s medical school. County clerk Lindsay Oswald said a request for qualifications and proposals was sent through the Michigan Association of Medical Examiners, as well as to a few individuals …

The city of Sturgis and the Sturgis Downtown Development Authority are postponing a trio of traditional holiday events due to the spike in COVID-19 cases, and the new Michigan Department of Health and Human Services restrictions. Because of the spike, the city is canceling Christmas in the City activities that typically take place in Free Church Park. The DDA is …

A few loose ends were addressed during Wednesday’s St. Joseph County Executive Committee meeting. Commissioners recommended acceptance of a Community Corrections Grant Agreement for 2021. It is almost $114,000 and awarded through the Michigan Department of Corrections. Also, commissioners approved setting a public hearing for the county’s 2021 proposed budget. The hearing will be conducted during their meeting Tuesday. Finally, …

The issue of appointments to various boards and committees evolved into a lengthy discussion by county commissioners during their executive committee meeting Wednesday. The process of recommending appointments and re-appointments to different boards and committees was explored following an issue raised by commissioner Ken Malone, who asked why candidates are interviewed for some panels but not others. The recommendations before …

The superintendent of Three Rivers Community Schools has received a rating of “effective” by the district’s board of education. Third-year superintendent Ron Moag received results of the annual evaluation last week. Standards for the evaluation come from practices recommended by the Michigan Association of School Boards and takes into account several aspects of the superintendent’s job. Moag’s cumulative score placed …

Despite a team that finished with one win in seven games this abbreviated season, Three Rivers High School’s varsity football team placed six people on the all-conference team. The Wildcats receiving recognition by the Wolverine Conference as first-team all-conference members are offensive lineman Jacob Reynolds, defensive lineman Luke Stasiuk and punter/place kicker Brayden Selent. Reynolds is a sophomore, Stasiuk and …

Michigan drivers who want unlimited personal injury protection benefits will pay $86 a vehicle starting next summer, down from $100 currently. The fee was mandatory for decades but became optional beginning in July under a change in state law. The Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association, a state-created nonprofit entity that reimburses auto insurers for medical claims surpassing $580,000, announced the 14% …

A key north-south route in St. Joseph County could be in store for some upgrades. St. Joseph County Road Commission Engineer Garrett Myland said the potential project centers on Lutz Road. He said initial plans call for two miles from M-86 in Lockport Township south to Fairchild Road in Florence Township. Myland said the ultimate goal is to reconstruct the …