Constantine Fire Chief Mike Hayden has issued a media release centering on burn permits and the dry conditions. He said the department has temporarily suspended issuing burn permits to residents in Constantine and Florence townships until an adequate amount of rainfall is recorded. Hayden suggested residents in other townships check with their fire officials to verify whether they, too, have …

St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough has leveled a charge of assault with intent to murder against a 53-year-old Florence Township man. McDonough on Tuesday said the charge against Bruce Tullos was warranted considering the extent and severity of injuries he inflicted upon the female victim. No weapon was used in the attack, investigators concluded. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners recently approved appointments to the Commission on Aging Board, including a trio who will replace three incumbents not reappointed. The seats of J.D. Yoder, Polly Oliver and board chair Lorrie Witt were awarded to other people even though the three indicated they had no plans to step down. They will be replaced by …

Three Rivers city officials said they expect Scidmore Park playground to reopen this weekend after a five-day undertaking to improve the playground surface. Assistant Engineer Merritt Brown said the task involved removing the entire covering of wood chips and replacing the surface area with crumb rubber. Work started Monday and has involved a number of volunteers. Brown said Jamie Clark, …

Authorities say a 38-year-old woman was critically injured with extensive burns after leaning over a firework she lit in southwestern Michigan.  Kalamazoo police say the woman was setting off fireworks late Wednesday at her home with her husband. She was hospitalized with second- and third-degree burns to her face, hands, arms and torso.  Lt. Stan McDonald said investigators believe the firework …

Allen Marcus Lewis, age 90, of Mendon, died Tuesday June 26, 2012 at his home. He was born in Three Rivers on Sep. 3, 1921 the son of Marcus V. and Ethel (Bowersox) Lewis, and attended Mendon Schools. He served in the U.S. Army in England, France, and Germany during WWII. He was married to Beatrice May Butler on March …

A 53-year-old Florence Township man is in jail on suspected assault charges following an alleged incident with his wife early Monday. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Bruce Tullos, was arrested after his wife was found beaten around 4 a.m. alongside Roys Road, east of Sevison Road. The victim was airlifted to a Kalamazoo hospital and listed in critical …

Officials from Indiana Michigan Power said they expect to conclude annual maintenance at its Constantine hydroelectric facility at some point today. The reservoir level was lowered by one foot earlier this week but is expected to be fully restored by the end of the day. Its normal operating level is 783 feet above sea level.

Chambers of commerce in Three Rivers and Sturgis, along with Glen Oaks Community College, have announced a candidate forum set to take place next month. The two-night event will feature candidates for drain commissioner and probate judge on July 18, while a forum for circuit court judge and county commission candidates will be staged July 19. The events start at …

Lorelie Ann (Fuller) Huff, age 74, of Mendon, died Tuesday June 26, 2012 surrounded by her family at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born in Three Rivers on Nov. 22, 1937 the daughter of Bradley J. and Lillian (Anderson) Fuller. She graduated from Three Rivers High School and worked at Lee’s Drive-In before going to Western Michigan University …