St Joseph County

Fire investigators from Michigan State Police are looking into a blaze that occurred Thursday morning at a home in the 20000 block of South River Road in Lockport Township. Officials believe the cause of the fire is suspicious. Heavy smoke was coming from the home when Centreville firefighters arrived at the scene around 11 a.m. The homeowners were not present …

An EPA Superfund site in Sturgis is being re-evaluated for a new concern called vapor intrusion. The Sturgis Municipal Wells Superfund Site was placed in the Superfund Program in 1984 for chemical contamination from the Kirsch Company impacting local drinking water wells. Vapor intrusion occurs when contaminated vapor gets into the indoor air of a building. The current owner of …

The identity of a 4-year-old victim of a dog attack Sunday in Sherman Township has been confirmed. Kiyana McNeal was killed by the family pet, a recently acquired Doberman. The dog apparently lunged at the girl’s neck as she was offering it a treat. McNeal’s mother attempted to pull the 4-year-old dog off the girl and was bitten by the …

Authorities say a dog attacked and killed a 4 1/2-year-old girl and injured the child’s mother at a home on West Fish Lake Road. The St. Joseph County sheriff’s department says the family had recently gotten the Doberman or Doberman mix before Sunday afternoon’s attack in Sherman Township. The girl’s mother tried to protect her and was hospitalized with injuries …

The city of Sturgis last week was given an extension related to its work on a ballfield complex. Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners agreed Tuesday to the extension after city manager Mike Hughes explained an unforeseen delay: the city received just two bids on its original plan and both were in excess of the city’s budgeted …

A Benton Harbor man was arrested last week on drug-related offenses in the city of Three Rivers. Police were called Thursday to the Walmart parking lot in response to a complaint about a suspicious vehicle. Officers located the car and noticed the driver was inhaling air dusters. Officers attempted to interview but he was too impaired to talk rationally, according …

Officials from White Pigeon Community Schools are seeking input from the community regarding the state of the district’s facilities and needs. The session, taking place at 6:30 tonight at the high school library, is being staged in advance of the district’s attempted renewal of a sinking-fund millage renewal in May. Superintendent Jon Keyer said input from the public is critical …

A 36-year-old Three Rivers woman was arrested last week on a warrant, but additional charges were leveled after she physically attacked an officer. According to a department media release, the woman was taken into custody Tuesday at the South Main Street Shell gas station on a warrant for fraud. Officers said the woman was wanted for passing counterfeit currency. About …

St. Joseph County Animal Control Officer Josh Shook announced he is resigning to take advantage of an employment opportunity elsewhere. During Wednesday’s meeting of the Animal Control Advisory Board, Shook said he was presented an opportunity that would put his family in a stronger place financially. Shook said it wasn’t a decision he made easily. Shook, who joined the department …

An icon in White Pigeon municipal government took part in his final village council meeting Wednesday. Dan Czajkowski was honored earlier in the evening for his 30 years as a village council member. He served the past 14 years as village president. With a two-year term to the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners already secured and beginning in January, …