A Calhoun County man was nearly a victim of check fraud following an incident last week. State police troopers are investigating a situation in which a man answered an online ad to be a secret shopper. Authorities said the man was mailed a cashier’s check by the suspects and asked to purchase multiple eBay gift cards in $100 denominations. The …

A Colon man was was found incompetent to help in his own defense in the murder of a 55-year-old Colon man. On Jan. 28, St. Joseph County District Judge Jeff Middleton received a report from the Michigan Center for Forensic Psychiatry in Ypsilanti, and on Wednesday held a competency hearing for Ethan Dingman, 19. Dingman is accused of murder in …

I have my Valentine all ready to send to my new owner.  I hope I meet them soon.  I am a Blonde, Female, terrier mix.  I am quiet, but I take treats very gently.  Hopefully I will spend Valentine Day with my new family.  My docket number is 47625, at the St. Joseph County Animal Control Shelter located at 652 …

Members of the Constantine Village Council have reviewed details about an ordinance proposal for recreational marijuana. The council on Monday reviewed comments made Jan. 20 by Portage attorney Catherine Kaufman regarding a draft for the new ordinance. Village Manager Mark Honeysett asked the council to continue reviewing the draft, and pass along input in hopes the final draft could be …

Three requests for an exception to the hiring freeze were approved by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners this week. During Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners approved a request by sheriff Jason Bingaman for animal control support assistant. The $47,000 position will become vacant in six weeks and involves licensing, kennel management, data entry and other duties. Commissioners also approved a …

Two wells in Mendon have tested positive for PFAS at higher than screening levels, according to Paul Andriaachi, director of environmental health at Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency. Andriaachi said it is safe to drink the water, though further investigation is underway and more samples will be taken. He said 10 wells were sampled Jan. 3, including four just outside …

William (Bill) Clewell, age 58, of Constantine, passed away on Monday, February 3, 2020, at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital. He was born to Marilyn Dowling on August 24,1961 in South Bend. He spent his early years in California, and graduated from White Pigeon High School in 1980. He started work for Pioneer Hi-Bred at the age of 17, for 17 …

Dale L. Cloud, age 69, of Union, MI died on Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at his home. He was born January 6, 1951 in Elkhart County, a son of Lloyd and Betty (Gembreling) Cloud. Dale graduated from Elkhart High School. He was employed in construction doing home remodeling. Dale was a member of the Cass County Conservation Club and enjoyed hunting …

A longtime St. Joseph County resident with deep involvement in local government has announced his candidacy for the 59th House District seat. Allen Balog, former mayor of Three Rivers and currently the longest-serving member of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners, announced Tuesday he will seek the state post held by term-limited Aaron Miller. Balog, 63, said he has …

St. Joseph County Clerk Lindsay Oswald issued a media release Monday, explaining a situation involving presidential primary ballots in Florence Township. Oswald said the ballots were delivered Jan. 21 to Florence Township Clerk Allissa Bowers at her residence, which is her official office because of its accessibility to the Internet. The county clerk’s office was notified Jan. 29 that the …