County Information

FirstMerit Bank has confirmed the closure of two of its St. Joseph County branches, in Colon and White Pigeon, effective June 3. Colon’s branch operation will become consolidated with the Sturgis branch. Officials could not confirm how many employees are affected, but all have been retained and offered positions at other locations, said Rob Townsend, media relations officer for FirstMerit …

A 38-year-old Cass County man was arrested Tuesday after leading authorities on a vehicle chase and foot chase before being apprehended after breaking into a residence. Detectives conducting surveillance in the community of Union noticed a suspicious vehicle near the intersection of U.S. 12 and Kessington Street. The driver of the vehicle drove several miles before abandoning the car outside …

The Michigan House this week approved a state grant to make the Dodd Park Water Trail in Cass County more accessible. State Rep. Aaron Miller said the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant is included in House Bill 5377 to install new, barrier-free fixtures at the trail. The $277,000 project development grant is one of 44 such recommendations made by …

A Kendallville man accused of stabbing a Walmart employee last week in Sturgis remains in the St. Joseph County Jail. Randy Alan Decker, 48, is charged with one count of attempted murder, one count of armed robbery and two counts of resisting/obstructing a police officer. His bond was set at $1 million. The incident occurred just before 1 p.m. Friday. …

St. Joseph County Friend of the Court Bill Thistlethwaite last week discussed a new program being funded and encouraged by the federal and state governments to address the low-income population. Thistlethwaite said a new service is being offered to the lower-income group through a pilot program. The program was put into place in 2015 to identify the people who fit …

The St. Joseph County Animal Shelter has received a $10,000 grant from a state funding source. The amount is the most given to 23 recipients in 2016 through the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Animal Industry Division. The agency annually distributes thousands of donated dollars to animal shelters in Michigan through Animal Welfare Fund grants. This year, the …

Constantine School’s board of education has offered the district’s superintendent post to Steve Wilson. District officials made their decision last week, as eight-year incumbent Chuck Frisbie, is retiring in June. The 40-year-old Wilson has been employed by the 1,400-student district for 10 years, and currently serves as the assistant superintendent and principal at Riverside Elementary School. The board hired Michigan …

Two people were arrested on drug-related offenses last week following an investigation by the Cass County Drug Enforcement Team. Detectives last Friday executed a search warrant in the 100 block of North O’Keefe Street in the village of Cassopolis. Once inside the residence, investigators found four, one-pot methamphetamine labs, an undisclosed quantity of meth, meth paraphernalia, multiple components used in …

State Rep. Aaron Miller last week told a House committee that the age requirements to run for state office should be lowered so people already considered legal adults can become involved in state government. Miller testified before the House Committee on Elections regarding a resolution he introduced last fall. The resolution proposes an amendment to the Michigan Constitution, changing the …

A 48-year-old Kendallville, Ind., man is in the St. Joseph County jail after a stabbing incident last week in Sturgis. According to police, the victim, a loss-prevention team member at Walmart on South Centerville Road, was attempting to stop the man for shoplifting. The worker suffered a stab wound to the neck and was treated at Sturgis Hospital. Officers were …