St Joseph County

Two residents at Riverside Townhouses, at 1200 Hov Aire Drive, were left homeless after a fire early Saturday night. The fire was reported in apartment 101 about 6:45 p.m. Investigators said the fire originated in the kitchen and is believed to have started because of careless cooking. No other residents were affected. Meanwhile, Centreville firefighters were called shortly after 10 …

Faced with trimming $500,000 from a $6 million budget, members of the Colon Community Schools Board of Education expressed their frustrations during a special work session Monday. The target of their dismay was a state legislature that they said continues to force school districts to do more with less. Board member Eric Bower said he is frustrated at the state …

County commissioners last week approved a 4 1/2-acre canine area at Meyer Broadway Park in Fabius Township. The initial proposal was presented April 1 at a Parks and Recreation Boardmeeting by recreation director Jaymes MacDonald. Commissioner Rick Shaffer said the plan for the park is to get it up and running soon, since the county is behind the move. The …

A two-vehicle accident last week in Fabius Township resulted in two people seeking medical treatment at the hospital. State police said Three Rivers resident Thomas Sayer, 78, was heading east on M-60 when he failed to stop at the U.S. 131 intersection. His vehicle struck a southbound SUV driven by Mary Carr, 77, of White Pigeon. Carr and Sayer, who …

State Rep. Aaron Miller announced that a Three Rivers orchard has received a grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to expand and increase its production. Miller said Corey Lake Orchards in Three Rivers was awarded more than $48,000 through the “Value Added and Regional Food System” grant program. The money will be used to enable the …

Members of the Colon Community Schools Board of Education this evening will continue deliberating their plan to trim as much as $500,000 from the district’s $5.7 million budget. The board, which met a month ago before a standing-room-only audience in excess of 80 people, is considering options that include the privatization of its transportation services, the elimination of up to …

A Cassopolis man died Wednesday afternoon in a crash in Cass County’s Mason Township. The victim was identified as 72-year-old Wayne Owen. He was reportedly northbound on Cassopolis Road when his vehicle left the road and struck a tree. According to Owen’s family, he had a history of heart related illness. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Deputies from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident in Colon Township. Deputies were called at 5:25 p.m. April 2 to the 32000 block of Case Road. It is believed the incident occurred between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. A 12-gauge shotgun and a large amount of money were taken, according to deputies.

State Rep. Aaron Miller is inviting World War II veterans to join him in Lansing May 7 to take part in the 2015 Honor Drive, marking the 70-year anniversary of the victory of Allied troops over the European Axis. Miller said he will recognize World War II veterans from the 59th House District who join him for the celebration of …

The Sturgis Area Community Foundation has awarded six mini-grants to Sturgis Public Schools. Various teachers who were recipients of the grants indicated to the district’s board of education the use of their grant money. Teacher Mackenzie Adams said her $250 grant will go toward Thursday morning athletic trainer taping workshops at Sturgis High School. Pandora Day at Eastwood Elementary received …