Recent Posts

Out and About – Week of April 2nd

I mention this every year, because I think it’s interesting that I’ve never run out of something to say every week for the past twelve years. There have been many changes over the years. Some were good and some not so good, but like everyone else, I’ve done what I can to adapt to them. I have a nicer office. …

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Local man arrested in connection with fire

A 41-year-old Three Rivers man is in custody relating to an arson incident last week at Maple Crest Apartments. Members of the Three Rivers Fire Department were summoned at 5:30 a.m. Saturday to building 1006, where a fire alarm had sounded. A resident found a trash can on fire inside the building’s common area and heavy smoke throughout the structure. …

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Local unemployment shows a decrease

February’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County was two-tenths of a percent lower than the previous month. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed the county’s 4.1 percent February unemployment rate marked a decrease from January’s 4.3 percent. St. Joseph County was below the state unemployment average, which was 5.2 percent in February. …

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Gun theft investigated near Athens

State police investigators are appealing to the public in hopes of securing details regarding the theft of stolen guns last fall in Calhoun County’s Athens Township. According to a department media release, the incident occurred Oct. 20 at a pole barn on 2 Mile Road, where a compound bow and two shotguns were stolen. Authorities described the bow as a …

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Michigan OKs Nestle’s bid to pump more water for bottling

Michigan officials have approved a permit allowing Nestle Waters North America Inc. to pump more groundwater for its Ice Mountain brand. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality ruled Monday the company’s application to increase water output to 400 gallons a minute meets state standards. Officials say in a statement that most of public comments they received expressed opposition to the …

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Muskegon police to standardize service guns

Public safety officers are getting new, standardized guns in a lakeside city in western Michigan. The Muskegon City Commission approved a plan last month to spend nearly $50,000 of drug forfeiture money to purchase 90 new 9mm handguns and holsters. Muskegon police officers previously had to buy their own pistols when hired. “I haven’t ever worked for a department that …

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MLB stands behind replay reversal from Tigers-Pirates game

Major League Baseball is standing behind the replay reversal that took the winning run away from the Detroit Tigers in a game last week against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Detroit’s Nicholas Castellanos was initially called safe in the bottom of the 10th inning Friday, and the Tigers spilled onto the field to celebrate what they thought was a win on opening …

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SJC Central Dispatch issues annual report

St. Joseph County Central’s Dispatch had a demanding year in 2017, marked by failures of equipment, shortage of manpower and a significant amount of overtime. Still, director Dennis Brandenburg, said the agency between 9-1-1 and non-emergency calls fielded more than 96,000 calls last year. The information was provided during a recent annual report presented to the St. Joseph County Board …

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Crash in Penn Township

An out-of-state resident was injured after he was involved in a three-vehicle crash last week in Cass County’s Penn Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 10 a.m. Friday to the intersection of Decatur Road and Kelsey Lake Street, where 19-year-old Jason Thrasher of Jasper, Ind., had failed to stop his vehicle at a stop sign. He was …

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