County Information

The third of seven river cleanups in St. Joseph County yielded a floor safe, 22 tires and an assortment of other debris Saturday. Spearheaded by the St. Joseph County Conservation District, the cleanup effort took place on an eight-mile stretch of the Fawn River from Halsey Square Road to the Fawn River Road bridge. The event was originally slated to …

Incidents of damage to mailboxes and the destruction of a portable bathroom have prompted the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department to ask for the public’s help in finding the culprits. The incidents occurred between Thursday night and early Friday morning, when several mailboxes on Farrand Road were destroyed by explosive devices. Sheriff’s officials said they believe a port-a-potty destroyed on …

A 25-year-old Coopersville woman was injured after she was involved in an accident on U.S. 131 at Flowerfield Road in Park Township last week. According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, Elizabeth Polk was driving south on U.S. 131 when she swerved to avoid a vehicle that stopped at the Flowerfield Road intersection but not within a safe clearance …

A 24-year-old Mottville Township man was arrested Friday afternoon, following a standoff with police lasting more than three hours. Brandon Culbertson was sought by police after the St. Joseph County Narcotics Unit followed up on a tip regarding the production of methamphetamine. Police said Culbertson was spotted in a vehicle and he fled into a wooded area as officers attempted …

Organizers of the annual Centreville Covered Bridge Days said mild weather and large crowds helped make the 2012 event a success. The two-day event, which concluded Saturday, featured a well-attended fireworks display Friday, a classic car show Saturday that drew 167 vehicles, a large crowd to see Spike and the Bulldogs concert on Main Street and hundreds of people watching …

Louis Csokasy, manager of road commissions in St. Joseph and Cass counties, said he is taking a leave of absence from both jobs starting next month in order to serve as interim administrator of Cass County. Csokasy, 64, said he was asked by Cass County officials late last week to fill the post left vacant after Charles Cleaver resigned earlier …

A nitrogen fertilizer spill in Florence Township Wednesday afternoon resulted in the leakage of 90 gallons of fertilizer. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said the incident occurred on Engle Road, just north of Featherstone Road. Officials said a tank was being pulled by a tractor when a weld broke. A level-gauge device snapped off when the tank dropped to …

The Sturgis Area Community Foundation raised more than $200,000 during its Match Day event Wednesday. The fundraiser took place in conjunction with the foundation’s 50-year anniversary in 2012. More than 700 individuals and businesses from throughout the county made donations during the one-day event, capped with a celebration at the Doyle Community Center in Sturgis. Mary Dresser, director of the …

Saturday’s second day of the annual Centreville Covered Bridge Days will have plenty to offer, including food, attractions and music. Activities get started Saturday with the classic car show beginning at 8 a.m., a cake walk, bounce house, dunk tank and plenty of food will also be a part of the festival Saturday. Spike and he Bulldogs will take the …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is appealing to the public for help regarding the theft of copper wire from an irrigation system. Shortly after noon on June 9, deputies were called to a field at Strawser and Dickenson Roads in White Pigeon Township regarding larceny of irrigation center-pivot-span cables. Investigators said two, 120-foot-span cables from the pivot were stolen.