WLKM Radio 95.9 FM

A 57-year-old Sturgis man was arraigned Monday on charges related to multiple counts of criminal-sexual conduct. St. Joseph County Prosecutor Deb Davis said Raymond Bontrager allegedly sexually assaulted a minor from 2016 to 2025, starting when the victim was 6-years-old. According to investigators, the alleged abuse continued until the summer of 2025, when the now-15-year-old victim disclosed the alleged assaults …

Officials from Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County have announced the family selection/partner family application process is now open. Nick Metzger, executive director for the Centreville-based agency, said volunteers are nearing completion on three potential partner homes. The residences are located in Sturgis, Constantine and Mendon. Metzger said all homes built by Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County are …

Three Rivers City Commission members are scheduled to hold a public hearing on a special-use permit request for a massage establishment. Eden Spa is hoping to secure the permit for its location at 740 S. U.S. 131. Other matters of business before Mayor Angel Johnston are discussion related to airport-easement acquisition by Michigan Department of Transportation and establishing a potential …

No injuries were reported following a house fire in Fabius Township. Fabius-Park Fire Department officials said crews were dispatched at 3 a.m. Jan. 24 to the 11000 block of Lakeshore Drive. First-arriving crews observed an active attic fire in a single-story residence. Crews also noted an abundance of heavy snoke emitting from the residence. With aid from Three Rivers Fire …

A Union City man died in a two-vehicle crash last week in Calhoun County’s Burlington Township. Investigators said a Jeep was traveling east on M-60 near 9 Mile Road, where it lost control, crossed the centerline and struck a westbound semi, according to Michigan State Police. The incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. Wednesday. The 49-year-old victim was pronounced dead at …

Officials from Colon Area Chamber of Commerce have added a daytime meeting periodically to accommodate people who may not be available for the chamber’s monthly evening meeting. Its regular meetings are at 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month. However, to better serve members and residents, daytime gatherings will be held at noon on various dates. The first daytime …

St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department wishes to acknowledge a resident for her help with a special project. Sheriff Chad Spence gave a shoutout on Facebook to Karla Arvizo, who led a project organized by Deputy Veronica Hoggard and Undersheriff David Northrop. Spence said Arvizo, who owns the Sturgis-based business Costuras Karla, created teddy bears for children who have been victimized …

Gilmore Car Museum is hosting “Pints With the Past,” a special Valentine’s Day theme and event. From 7 to 10 p.m. Feb. 14, participants are encouraged to dress in 1920s style clothing and head out to the Barry County museum, where appetizers, live music, adult beverages and many other offerings will be available. Prizes will be awarded for best retro …

We all have an expiration date and we have no idea when that time will come. I believe that our time of death is like the time we actually lose consciousness as we fall to sleep. It would be great to know what death feels like, however I don’t know how we would ever find out. There has been some …

Branch County Sheriff’s Department has announced its receipt of a $100,000 grant to help offset the cost of body-worn cameras. The funding was provided by Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority. A portion of the money will go toward in-car camera projects, according to Sheriff Fred Blankenship. He said the grant lessens the impact on Branch County taxpayers while enhancing accountability, …