Recent Posts

Two-county pursuit — Man arrested

Cass County sheriff’s officials arrested a man early Friday following a two-county pursuit. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies attempted to stop the suspect, who was driving a stolen vehicle. The vehicle eventually crashed on M-40, south of Hoffman Street in an area of Jones. The suspect fled on foot and was able to elude deputies and a K-9 officer. A …

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US-131 — Construction update

Here is a weekly update from the Michigan Department of Transportation regarding the U.S. 131 project in Three Rivers. Northbound and southbound 131 will continue to feature single-lane closures. Meanwhile, construction will continue on the existing curb-lane islands, which will be removed and replaced with temporary paving. Also, work will continue on utilities on outside shoulders and median work will …

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Rep. Miller votes to lower car insurance premiums

State Rep. Aaron Miller last week voted in favor of a measure to help bring lower car insurance prices to residents and families in Southwest Michigan. He joined House legislators in approving a plan to reform Michigan’s no-fault system. The plan guarantees lower rates for all drivers in Michigan, reducing what currently is the highest average car insurance premium in …

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Car hits buggy and leaves the scene

State police troopers are investigating a hit-and-run accident that involved a vehicle and a horse-drawn buggy in Branch County. The incident occurred at 10 p.m. Wednesday on Hamman Road near State Line Road in California Township. Investigators said a black passenger car traveling north on Hamman Road crossed the center line and struck a southbound buggy head on. The buggy …

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Out and About – Week of May 13th

Here’s some more information about future road construction planned for the Three Rivers area: 2019 construction includes re-configuring the US-131/M-60 interchange to a standard signalized intersection, reconstructing the US-131/Hoffman Road intersection, and any temporary paving necessary for planned 2020 construction. Looking ahead to 2020, we can look forward to the construction of a boulevard from Broadway Street to Hoffman Road. …

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Whitmer signs bill forgiving up to 4 snow day make-ups

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed legislation to forgive Michigan schools from rescheduling up to four snow days that occurred during an artic deep freeze in which she declared a state of emergency. The law will let schools not count the Jan. 29-Feb. 1 period toward a cap on snow days. State law forgives districts from making up six days that …

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9-year-old boy accused of killing mom

Investigation into the shooting death of a 51-year-old woman in Fawn River Township is continuing, though few details are available from authorities. Pauline Randol was the victim. Her 9-year-old adopted son was allegedly responsible for the shooting, killing her after he fired a rifle at her. Court records show the boy was charged with one count of open murder and …

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High speed chase ends in crash

A 37-year-old man is in the St. Joseph County jail after a high-speed pursuit earlier this week. Matthew Gear was arrested after crashing a vehicle into the front porch of a home at 314 S. Elkhart St. in White Pigeon around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. Police from Goshen were responding to a call regarding a personal-protection violation. When they arrived, Gear …

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County commission agrees to hire assistant prosecuting attorney

A new employee will be joining the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office. County commissioners agreed Tuesday to make an exception to their self-imposed hiring freeze and approve the request sought by Prosecutor John McDonough. In a memo to commissioners, McDonough indicated the need for an assistant prosecuting attorney is essential in order to perform day-to-day duties, which include handling criminal …

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COA adds new board members

Two Sturgis-area residents were added to the St. Joseph County Commission on Aging board. By unanimous vote at Tuesday’s county commission meeting, the citizen-interest forms submitted by Lee Austermann and George Letts were approved.

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