Business

Indiana Michigan Power has announced it will conduct aerial inspections of its high-voltage lines next month as part of its ongoing program to maintain the reliability of the electric-transmission system. Officials from the Fort Wayne-based utility said the helicopter flights will inspect transmission lines in and around Fort Wayne and South Bend, as well as in areas within Ohio and …

A Constantine eatery is a two-time winner of an annual chili cook-off. Rachel’s, which won the inaugural event in 2010, was voted by the public as the best chili between a competition that also featured Constantine-based restaurants Town Fryer and Piper’s Grinders Galore. The fourth annual Chili Throw-Down took place Saturday. Rachel’s won the inaugural even in 2010, followed by …

A hit-and-run crash shortly before 5 a.m. Monday in Sturgis Township is being investigated by the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department. Department officials said a midsize car of unknown make, model and color was westbound on U.S. 12, west of Shimmel Road, and side-swiped the victim’s vehicle. The suspect vehicle, which continued west on U.S.12, may have damage to the …

A 23-year-old Elkhart man was airlifted to Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo after he was injured in a one-vehicle crash Sunday in Constantine Township. Investigators from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Bradley Owen was driving on North River Road when he drove off the roadway near Maple Road and his truck ran into a tree. Owen had to …

A 90-year-old White Pigeon man was issued a citation last week after he drove into a moving, horse-drawn buggy in White Pigeon Township. State police investigators said the man was driving east on Fawn River Road when he ran into the back of the buggy near the intersection of Aldrich Lake Road at 9:45 a.m. Friday. The 35-year-old driver of …

Only minor injuries were reported following a two-vehicle accident last week in Sturgis Township. A media release from the Michigan State Police stated 27-year-old Amanda Horning, of Sturgis, turned left in front of a westbound car on U.S. 12. The incident, which took place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, occurred in front of the Hillcrest Lounge. The 43-year-old driver of the …

Investigators from the Michigan State Police at White Pigeon detachment are awaiting autopsy results to determine the cause of death of a White Pigeon man on the job last weekend. Robert Knight, 61, was a 25-year veteran at White Pigeon Paper Mill. He died Sunday morning after falling into machinery at the plant. Investigators are trying to determine if Knight …

The St. Joseph County Board of commissioners Tuesday postponed a work session slated to take place Monday with representatives from Holland-based 2 Fish Company, a marketing firm in line to potentially help the county promote itself to Chicago-area residents as a retirement destination. County officials agreed incoming administrator J. Patrick Yoder should be in attendance when the meeting takes place. …

The chief operating officer for Nature’s Fuel said the Constantine site once considered for a St. Joseph County location is off the table. Glenn Johnson said the Fort Wayne-based company found the expense related to settling at the former Rexam plant in the Constantine business park too great. He said all new electrical wiring at the north end of the …

A 33-year-old Three Rivers woman was charged Wednesday with driving while intoxicated and child endangerment after she was involved in a one-vehicle crash in Three Rivers. According to a department media release, the woman drove off the roadway and crashed into a hydrant at the intersection of East Hoffman and Wood streets. Officers investigating the incident performed a series of …