Recent Posts

Colon voters approve millage renewal

Voters in the Colon Community Schools district approved renewal of its millage rate for general operations Tuesday. At stake was renewal of 18.561 mills, which funds a significant portion of the district’s operations. The 10-year renewal will affect industrial, commercial, vacation homes that are non-homestead and some agricultural properties. The 18-plus mills generate more than $1.3 million annually for the …

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TR hires new finance director

The city of Three Rivers has hired a new finance director to replace longtime former employee, Cathy Lawson. Bobbi Schoon, was selected to the position during the city commission’s July 18 meeting. Schoon had previously served as director of Three Rivers Public Library and before that ran Three Rivers Area Mentoring. Schoon has spent most of her life in Three …

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Multiple injuries in Cass County crash

Three people were injured in a two-vehicle crash last week in Cass County’s Jefferson Township. Sheriff Richad Behnke said deputies were called around 4:30 p.m. Thursday to M-62 in an area near Harris Street. Investigators said a car driven by 16-year-old Edwardsburg resident Calvin Andrews was heading north on M-62 and attempted to turn left into a driveway. Authorities said …

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More details on Sturgis shootings

Sturgis Public Safety Director Ryan Banaszak and St. Joseph County Undersheriff Jason Bingaman staged a press conference Monday to detail the Saturday night shooting deaths of two Sturgis residents and the Sunday police shooting of suspect David Algarin Jr. The homicide victims were identified as Stacey Mae Ramsey, 38, and Jerry Longacre, 61. Banaszak said Sturgis officers responded to a …

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TR businesses using filters to keep water clean

One day after the health department advised people in Three Rivers to avoid drinking tap water, businesses are working on ways to keep their water clean and safe for customers. WOOD-TV said the advisory was put in place Thursday after tests by the city found lead levels that were higher than the state’s action level. The city said six homes …

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Great Start offers 2 new programs

Great Start Collaboration of St. Joseph County is announcing two programs starting this month. “Connecting With Teens,” a one-day, in-person class, is offered 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 19 at the Sturgis ISD building on West Chicago Street. The new course is for parents of teens and is adapted from the concepts of Conscious Discipline to help support healthy …

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Realtor wins county award

The St. Joseph County Association of Realtors has named Benjamin Myers of Berkshire Hathaway Home services Michigan Centreville Office as its 2023 Realtor of the Year. The award is given in recognition of outstanding commitment and service to the community and the real-estate industry. Award winners are chosen by their peers and recognized both locally and at the state level …

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Man suspected in 2 weekend killings dies in police shooting

A man suspected in two weekend homicides in southwestern Michigan was fatally shot after a police chase on a rural road ended in a wheat field, authorities said Monday. David Algarin Jr., age 30, led police on a chase that began Sunday in St. Joseph County and stretched nearby into Branch County, investigators said. “The pursuit ended in an officer-involved …

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White Pigeon board discussing recall attempt

White Pigeon Township Board members urged their constituents to get more involved in local government if they’re unhappy with their current representatives. The five-member board held a special meeting last week to discuss claims against them and an attempted recall. Nearly a dozen audience members addressed the board before its members took their turn to express an opinion on the …

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United Way receives donated community-support-response vehicle

Morgan Olson has donated a community-support-response vehicle to the St. Joseph County United Way to celebrate the 20th year of operation at Morgan Olson’s step-van production facility in Sturgis. The vehicle was presented last week. Mike Ownbey, Morgan Olson president and CEO, said the company’s step vans help people in many ways and are essential in delivering life-saving supplies. He …

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