St Joseph County

Florence Township Supervisor Gordon Evilsizor has stepped up his crusade in support of funding to improve the condition of Constantine Road. Evilsizor last week purchased four campaign signs and placed them at various points along the north-south route. The signs read: “Sorry! County commissioners feel it’s a bad investment to fix this rough road with your tax dollars.” He said …

Three Rivers Police Chief Tom Bringman wishes to inform local businesses about numerous, recent reports of counterfeit bills attempting to be used for payment. Bringman in a department media release said the issue has become prevalent over the past few weeks, during which retail employees have refused what appeared to be fake $100 and $20 bills. Still, Bringman reminded that …

A 74-year-old Lockport Township woman was hospitalized for shortness of breath after a vehicle driven by an alleged drunken driver crashed into her house last week. State police said troopers were dispatched around 1:30 p.m. Friday to the 18000 block of South River Road regarding a vehicle that had crashed into the side of a residence. Investigators determined a 36-year-old …

A 17-year-old Centreville girl was not injured after she ran a red light and her vehicle collided with a farm truck Wednesday in Fabius Township. State police said Hannah Griffith was driving north on U.S. 131 when she failed to stop at a red light at the Hoffman Road intersection. Her vehicle struck a truck turning north from Hoffman Road …

Members of the St. Joseph County Animal Control Advisory Board made strides Wednesday toward planning an inaugural fundraiser event set to take place next month. Pending approval from the county’s board of commissioners Tuesday, animal control board members will host the fundraiser 6 to 10 p.m. May 13 at the Sturgis Elks. Board chair Emily Frohriep said the idea of …

The city of Sturgis has hired Viridis Design Group of Kalamazoo to design, bid and supervise construction of a $2 million Sturgis softball complex that could be completed by September 2017. The largest share of the construction cost is covered by an appropriation from the St. Joseph County delinquent tax revolving fund, which also is underwriting a new sports complex …

Fire inspectors spent the day Wednesday looking for clues related to a blaze that caused extensive damage to a Sturgis residence. Careless smoking was determined to be the apparent cause. Cpt. Cody Cripe of the Sturgis Fire Department said officials were called around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday to a residence in the 300 block of South Clay Street. Upon arrival, Sturgis …

State police this week responded to a hit-and-run incident that involved a vehicle being taken for a test drive in Park Township. Troopers were called around 5 p.m. Tuesday to a residence on Michigan Avenue. Earlier, a 1998 Chevy Blazer being test-driven by two men struck a deer on Michigan Avenue, near North Fisher Lake Road. Investigators said the two …

A day of magic that made a strong debut in 2015 is returning to Colon this weekend. Organized by Colon magician Ron Carnell and presented by Ring 386 of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, “31 Flavors of Magic” promises to deliver a variety of magic sure to appeal to people of all ages, Carnell said. Sixteen performers, seven new shows, …

State police are investigating the theft of various items after a shed was broken into Tuesday in Park Township. Troopers were called around 4 p.m. to the 54000 block of Wilbur Road, where the owner of a shed located next to his residence reported the theft of welding equipment. An acetylene tank, oxygen tank, extra-long hose, welder and cutter attachments …