Recent Posts

Mark My Words

It is hard to believe, but this past August marked my tenth anniversary of writing this column for the Three Rivers Commercial-News. One of my many dreams was to become a writer. I still have that dream, but my ideas for plays, a TV show and a book are still unwritten and sitting in the back of my mind. A …

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Court: Mom’s drug use during pregnancy not an abuse crime

The Michigan appeals court says the state’s child-abuse law doesn’t apply to unborn babies. The court threw out the conviction of a woman who used methamphetamine during her pregnancy. Melissa Jones’ son weighed less than 4 pounds despite being delivered at full term in Sturgis in St. Joseph County. In a 3-0 decision released Friday, the court says Michigan law …

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Case of more than 100 dogs at home results in cruelty pleas

A southwestern Michigan couple pleaded guilty to animal cruelty after authorities removed 108 dogs and several other animals from their rural home. Donald Smith and his wife Melissa Copen entered pleas Thursday in an agreement with prosecutors in Van Buren County. WWMT-TV reports they’re expected to serve probation and won’t be allowed to keep animals. Sheriff’s deputies and animal control …

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Road project completion delayed

Completion of one of two major road projects in St. Joseph County is going to be delayed by two weeks. The other, however, is on schedule and should be completed by the end of next week. St. Joseph County Road Commission Manager Chris Minger said the crew working on reshaping the two-thirds of a mile of Lovers Lane has run …

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Sturgis sells reclaimed bricks

The city of Sturgis raised nearly $4,000 this month on the sale of 39,000 century-old bricks. City Manager Mike Hughes said the auction of 120 pallets of reclaimed street bricks garnered more money than officials expected. Proceeds will be dedicated to the city’s ongoing street projects. The bricks were recovered when the city reconstructed aging brick streets, primarily South Nottawa …

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Area agencies pledge to end veteran homelessness

Individuals from several area agencies gathered together this month and pledged to put an end to veteran homelessness in St. Joseph County. Nick Metzger, who chairs the St. Joseph County Housing Task Force, said those in attendance gathered to take action on a goal to end veteran homelessness. Stoney Summey, director of St. Joseph County Veterans Services, said he had …

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Local business unites with Italian manufacturer

Burr Oak Tool has united with Italy-based tube-processing-machine specialist Sistemi Meccanici Industriali to form an e-partnership aimed at providing better solutions and service to more customers worldwide. Tim Doot, vice president of Burr Oak Tool, explained the partnership in saying the collaboration yields more than 100 years of combined experience and unmatched expertise that is unprecedented in the heat-exchange equipment …

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Boil-water notice is no longer in effect

A boil-water notice in Lockport Township was lifted Thursday afternoon. According to Jennifer Ransbottom, director of utility management services for Jones Petrie Rafinski, the Lockport Township Water System – in conjunction with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality – has determined it is no longer necessary to use bottled water or boil water before drinking or cooking. Appropriate corrective measures …

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Fatima

  Hi! My name is Fatima and I’m a female black and brown Min Pin, about 7 years old. I weigh about 24 lbs. and have huge brown eyes and a very sweet face. I am a gentle little woman and just the right size for someone who wants a smaller dog. I surely would like to be part of …

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