Nicholas Mastos, one of three codefendants in a home invasion that took place on South Constantine Street in Three Rivers in the early hours of July 19, has received his sentence. Last month, Mastos pled guilty to one count of first-degree home invasion as well as one count of attempted breaking and entering with intent to commit larceny, Mastos’ fourth such habitual offense.
Author: Dave Vago
The St. Joseph County Democratic Party is hosting an event at Memory Isle Park in downtown Three Rivers this Sunday. Called “Dems on Mem,” organizers characterize the event as a pre-election rally. It will feature a number of candidates for Federal, state, and local offices, and the schedule will also include live music, speeches, and an informal candidate meet-and-greet.
The River Country Sports Commission (RCSC) received two more donations this week toward projects at the Armstrong Youth Sports Complex (AYSC) in Three Rivers. They included $9,000 worth of contributions from Doug and Kathy Arney and Bill and Betsy Rhoda, which will be used in the construction of a pavilion at the complex. Horizon Bank also donated $1,000 to the AYSC’s general fund.
The 45th Circuit Court of St. Joseph County has been awarded a grant by the U.S. Department of Justice. St. Joseph County Circuit Court Adult Drug Treatment Court Program Director Dr. Barbara Howes confirmed the award at a meeting Wednesday. In a Facebook post, Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman said, “I am extremely proud to announce that the 45th Circuit Court has been awarded a new grant from the Federal Government in the amount of $600,000 over the next three years to address the substance abuse needs in our County.”
Despite reduced utilization of services and fewer funding dollars from some sources, St. Joseph County’s offender rehabilitation programs are adapting and continuing to serve. Community Corrections Director Rose Ludwick, District Court Judge Jeffrey C. Middleton, and others discussed current challenges and opportunities and approved changes at a Community Corrections Advisory Board (CCAB) meeting Wednesday.
St. Joseph County Sheriff Mark Lillywhite told Watershed Voice Wednesday that his department will not be able to enforce a directive issued last Friday prohibiting open carry of firearms within 100 feet of polling places around the state. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson issued the directive, which applies to the upcoming November 3 General Election day, and includes instructions for local clerks on how to carry it out.
White Pigeon Township Supervisor Don Gloy appeared at a St. Joseph County Road Commission (SJCRC) work session Wednesday to ask commissioners to consider compensating some of the township’s residents for recent damage that occurred during a subdivision paving project.
Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Three Rivers is hosting a food truck event in its parking lot this Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event is a fundraiser for the “IC Boosters,” which is the school’s parent-teacher organization. Four trucks will be featured in what Principal Sharon Voege says is an opportunity to be social and socially distanced at the same time.
St. Joseph County Administrator Teresa Doehring said the bargaining unit representing the county’s largest group of clerical employees has rejected a proposed agreement under which employees would work a reduced, 35-hour workweek for the remainder of the year. The hours reduction was a measure to attempt to mitigate ongoing revenue losses in the county.
Three Rivers City Commissioners approved a motion Tuesday to proclaim the city as the “Center of the Universe.”
After remaining steady at 11 since late summer, the St. Joseph County death count due to the COVID-19 virus now stands at 15. One death occurred the week before last according to comments last week by Rebecca Burns, Health Officer with the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency (BHSJ). Three more deaths were added to BHSJ’s online statistics early this week.
Administrators and staff at Three Rivers Community Schools (TRCS) continue to adjust pandemic response plans and the operation of virtual learning platforms as the fall semester begins to wrap up its second month. At a regular meeting of the TRCS Board of Education (BOE) Monday, Superintendent Ron Moag and Curriculum Director Nikki Nash provided updates on the status of each, and BOE members approved a reconfirmation of the district’s state-mandated COVID-19 Extended Learning Plan (ELP).
The Three Rivers Public Library (TRPL) opened its new facility at the corner of North Main and Moore Streets to a limited number of inside customers Monday. Although it has been providing curbside service since September 21, the interior of the library has been closed to the public. TRPL Acting Director Bobbi Schoon said she was excited for Monday’s opening. “We finally get to share it with everybody,” she said.
Thomas Stambaugh pled guilty Monday in the St. Joseph County 45th Circuit Court Monday for the hit-and-run killing of Laura Jacobs on June 18, 2020, in the Three Rivers Meijer parking lot.
A motorist attempting to make a left turn from U.S. Highway 131 onto Broadway Road was struck by another vehicle Sunday morning, prompting one passenger to be taken to Three Rivers Hospital for minor injuries.
Matthew Mosher believes it is important for elected officials to be responsive and accountable to all of their constituents, no matter who those constituents are. At a campaign meet and greet event at Meyer Broadway County Park this past Sunday, Mosher discussed with Watershed Voice the measures he would take to bring about that responsiveness and accountability, as well as what, exactly, those things mean to him.
An old-time harvest event doesn’t necessarily happen every year at the Hochstetler farm, but it does when a need arises. For a harvest event this past Saturday, family members and friends mobilized to organize a breakfast fundraiser, convene the necessary people and equipment to do the threshing, and get the word out. Several hundred people from the nearby community turned out to eat a home-cooked breakfast of eggs, pancakes, homemade sausage, biscuits and gravy, and fresh doughnuts, and to watch as volunteers operated a variety of antique equipment.
In a statement Friday, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said the open carry of firearms at polling places on Election Day is prohibited around the state. Three Rivers Police Chief Tom Bringman gives details on how the TRPD plans to protect against voter intimidation on Election Day.