News

The longest-serving commissioner in St. Joseph County history has announced he will not seek re-election to an 11th, two-year term. John Dobberteen, who represents the city of Sturgis and Fawn River Township, said he will end his 20-year board membership when his current term expires Dec. 31. Dobberteen said he is focused on retiring from work and spending more time …

As a result of the low number of positive influenza cases throughout the area, Sturgis Hospital has lifted the flu-related hospital visitor restrictions. Sturgis Hospital implemented the visitor restrictions in January to protect patients, visitors and staff members from potential exposure to the flu virus. Hospital officials said they continue to request that visitors who are ill to not visit, …

Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education has chosen six candidates to interview for the position of superintendent. During a special meeting last week, consultant Gary Rider presented 17 applicants to the board and facilitated the process to narrow the field to those the board ultimately selected to interview. Interviews are open to the public. The first three will take place today: …

Classes were canceled today at Three Rivers Community Schools following a threat. According to interim superintendent Rob Kuhlman, Three Rivers High School received three different tips via Ok2Say regarding potential threats toward the school late yesterday afternoon.  OK2SAY allows anyone to confidentially report criminal activities or potential harm directed at Michigan students, school employees, or schools. The three tips appear to be unrelated. …

Three Rivers municipal officials later this month are expected to vote on ordinances related to medical marijuana facilities. The impending action comes after Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners conducted a pair of public hearings Tuesday. The proposed ordinances center on the operation and zoning of the facilities within the city limits. The issue drew considerable discussion and a number of …

An Edwardsburg woman was injured in a one-vehicle crash in Cass County’s Jefferson Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called around 7:30 Wednesday morning to the 60000 block of M-62. Investigators learned that 19-year-old Courtney Houser was driving north on M-62 before losing control of her vehicle on an ice-covered portion of the roadway. The vehicle went off the …

Registration is open for the 2018 Triple Creek Color Dash 5K Run and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk. The annual event, in collaboration with the 62nd annual Three Rivers Water Festival, takes place at 9 a.m. June 16. This year’s race will feature a new route, and will start and finish at Scidmore Park. Participants are encouraged to take their time …

Glen Oaks Community College has announced its next guest as part of the school’s 2017-18 Viking Speaker Series. Inge Auerbacher, author of the book, “I Am A Star – Child of the Holocaust,” will speak at 6 p.m. March 21 at the Three Rivers High School Performing Arts Center. Auerbacher and her parents were one of the few families who …

Defendants in Michigan would be compelled to listen to victim impact statements under legislation that moved through the House Thursday. The House passed the bill 105-2 in honor of the late Rebekah Bletsch, a 36-year-old who was murdered in 2014 while jogging on a western Michigan road. In December, Bletsch’s convicted killer, Jeffrey Willis, spurred outrage for walking out during her family’s …

A judge has sentenced a northern Indiana man to the maximum 130 years in prison for the fatal shootings of two Michigan brothers. Twenty-eight-year-old James Ross Jr. of Goshen was sentenced on two counts of murder Thursday after a jury convicted him last month. Ross was charged with killing 29-year-old Antonio McClain and 25-year-old Anthony McClain of Saginaw, Michigan, in …