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Downtown Sturgis was filled Friday with classic and custom vehicles, marking the opening of the 2024 Spring Car Cruise-In and Eats. The Sturgis Downtown Development Authority hosts several events downtown throughout the year. Friday’s event included several dozen cars, food trucks, acoustic musicians and the unveiling of the Art Around Town displays.

Fifth District Congressman Tim Walberg toured tornado-damaged areas of Branch and St. Joseph counties Friday morning, promising to provide whatever help the state needs to get families back on their feet. Walberg spent a good share of his time in the area looking over damage in Branch County’s Sherwood Township. Walberg said he and others in Congress approved disaster aid …

Three Rivers Police Department has released names of the suspect and victim in a fatal stabbing incident earlier this month. Deputy Chief Sam Smallcombe said Michael Lamar Taylor, a 46-year-old Three Rivers resident, was arraigned last week and faces one count of murder in the death of Ervan Leroy Taylor, 61. The incident occurred the night of May 5 in …

Eastwood Elementary School Principal Mike Miller has been selected as principal of Bronson Junior/Senior High School. Sturgis school officials announced the personnel move last week. Miller joined Sturgis Public Schools in 2006, where he spent eight years as a teacher, three years as an assistant principal and, since 2017, as principal of Eastwood. In 2021, Miller earned Principal of the …

St. Joseph County Animal Control was the benefactor of a significant gift left in the will of a Colon couple. St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department Capt. TJ Baker said $10,000 was bequeathed to the Centreville-based agency by Karla Wilson and her husband, Robert “Pat” Wilson. Karla, a Colon High School alumna, passed away at age 67 in November 2022, while …

A few rules to remember, when out riding bicycles: Bikes are not permitted on the sidewalk in the downtown business district. If you must use the sidewalk, walk your bicycle. Bicyclists are bound by the same rules as motor vehicles. This means that you must stop at all intersections where stop signs are installed. The same goes for traffic lights. …

Branch County Prosecutor’s Office has cleared officers involved in the shooting of a Sturgis man last summer. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman said a review of the case, which also involved input from Michigan State Police, concluded that the shooting death of 30-year-old David Algarin Jr. was justified. Investigators said Algarin led law-enforcement officials on a pursuit Aug. 6 that concluded in …

The National Weather Service has now surveyed the damage and confirms an EF2 tornado touched down in St. Joseph County on Tuesday. The survey team says the tornado touched down one mile south of Centreville at 5:41pm, and then tracked northeast, passed north of Colon, then crossed into Branch County. The tornado finally weakened and lifted three miles southwest of …

Great Start Collaborative and several other area agencies are asking for assistance with its monthly diaper distribution. Great Start family liaison Amanda Johnson said the diaper drive has increased its outreach, and doubled the number of families and children since February. Sixty families and 99 children were served at its April distribution. The flip side to that, Johnson said, is the …

A Vicksburg High School creative-writing teacher has been honored as an “Excellence in Education” award winner. The weekly acknowledgment is presented by Michigan State Lottery. For his recognition, David Smith received $2,000. He now becomes eligible for a $10,000 cash prize as the potential Educator of the Year recipient, an honor bestowed at the end of the academic year. Lottery …