Deputies from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department responded last weekend to a two-vehicle collision in Fabius Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies were called at 2 p.m. Saturday to M-60 and A.L. Jones Road in response to a two-vehicle, personal-injury crash. John Schmidt, 57, of Osceola, Ind., was driving west on M-60, where his SUV was struck by a …

Colon Community Schools officials are optimistic they will be able to work with the district’s Amish population and potentially re-open Leonidas School in the fall. Board of education president Deb Bordner said Monday a recent meeting between district officials and a number of area Amish residents led to good discussion and renewed consideration of bringing Leonidas School back into the …

Larry Brueck was honored this week by Nottawa Township Board members, who praised his work ethic, integrity and commitment to his job as township sexton. Tuesday was Brueck’s final township board meeting, as he is retiring at the end of the week, just shy of 28 years on the job. Township officials staged a small reception prior to their meeting, …

Indiana Michigan Power representatives plan to invest approximately $56 million to enhance the electric-transmission network across southwest Michigan. Company officials plan to build two power lines in St. Joseph and Cass counties, and upgrade two substations to support the region’s electrical need and enhance electric reliability. The White Pigeon Transmission Line Improvements Project involves building approximately nine miles of 138-kilovolt power …

A Detroit man was charged with assault following an incident earlier this week in Sherman Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies were called shortly after 5:30 p.m. Monday to the area of Balk and Sherman Mills roads in response to 911 calls reporting a male subject posing a danger to himself. According to a department media release, the man was …

Robert E. “Bob” Hambright, age 80, of Mendon, died Monday, Feb. 21, 2022 at his home. He was born in Kalamazoo on March 27, 1941 the son of Ernal and Eleanor (Cushing) Hambright. He graduated from Portage Central High School in 1960 where he was active in sports and excelled in gymnastics. He worked briefly at the Kalamazoo State Hospital …

Tina Louise Heath, age 57, passed away at Rose Arbor Hospice on Monday, February 21, 2022. She was born on March 9, 1964 the daughter of Merle and Betty (Thomas) Heath. She was one of five children and spent her entire life here in southwest Michigan. Tina attended Colon Schools. For many years, Tina worked at numerous area factories. She …

St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department recently settled union contracts with its employees. The agreement means a few modifications to contracts the department has for patrol services in Centreville, Burr Oak and Fabius Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite told commissioners last week the three-year contracts, which started this calendar year, will reflect an annual increase in rates for coverage. The agreement with …

A third St. Joseph County school district is now looking for a permanent superintendent. Colon Community Schools Board of Education on Monday accepted the resignation of Penny Brockway. The 52-year-old Brockway was in the midst of her fifth year in Colon. Colon joins Three Rivers and Centreville as St. Joseph County school districts looking for permanent superintendents. Colon’s board on …

A Marcellus man was involved in a crash last weekend in Cass County’s Volinia Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies responded shortly after 4 p.m. Saturday to an area on Marcellus Road, east of Gards Prairie Road. Investigators said 25-year-old Austin Hiser was driving east on Marcellus Road when he attempted to pass a car and lost control of his …