St Joseph County

Troopers from Michigan State Police are investigating the breaking and entering of the Sturgis Bank and Trust ATM in Mendon. The incident occurred at 1 a.m. Jan. 15. Investigators said the suspect gained entry into the ATM by using some type of prying instrument. The suspect then left the area in a tan-colored minivan. The suspect is described as a …

Three Rivers Fire Chief Carl Holcomb is urging residents and business owners near rivers to prepare for rising waters and have an evacuation plan ready. Holcomb also recommended people stay off the rivers, as high water levels cause strong currents. In addition, Holcomb said motorists should not attempt to drive through barricaded streets and roadways. Water levels were expected to …

One of the farmers behind a concentrated animal-feeding operation going up in Sherman Township fielded a number of questions and provided clarity related to the project during Wednesday’s St. Joseph County Conservation District Board meeting. At the request of board member John Nelson, Ed Schlabach attended the meeting and elaborated on what will be a four-barn development between Shimmel and …

A Coldwater man was arrested this week on charges related to criminal sexual conduct and manufacturing child sexually abusive material. State police investigators at 1 p.m. Wednesday executed a search warrant at a Harrison Street residence in Coldwater to investigate allegations of a criminal sexual conduct that had been alleged online via the phone application, KIK. Troopers found that a …

A Sturgis-area woman and her passengers escaped from the vehicle she was driving after it ended up in a water-filled ditch this week in Burr Oak Township. Sheriff’s officials said 34-year-old Michele Wall was driving east on Hackman Road at 7:20 a.m. Wednesday. Wall’s vehicle entered standing water in the roadway and she lost control of the vehicle. It went …

Despite a pair of dissenting votes, St. Joseph County commissioners on Tuesday approved a staffing request for an impending vacancy in Family Court. The 3-2 vote means Judge David Tomlinson and director Tom Robertson can begin searching for a candidate to replace Cathy Coleman, juvenile register. Coleman’s last day is Feb. 28, as she accepted the county’s early-retirement incentive. Commissioner …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department has issued a media release regarding the number of water-covered roadways throughout the county. Sheriff’s officials said 12 inches of water is enough to sweep away a sport-utility vehicle. The county road commission has placed barricades at affected locations. The sheriff’s department advises motorists to obey the barricades and find an alternate route. Also, …

Mendon Community Schools board members are learning the potential consequences of this winter’s delays and cancellations. During Monday’s monthly board meeting, interim superintendent Leasa Griffith said the district is uncomfortably close to having to add at least one make-up day in June. In order to avoid the school year extending beyond June 7, Griffith said she has worked out an …

Sheriff’s deputies are investigating attempted breaking-and-entering incidents in Mendon Township. Deputies were called Monday to the 22000 block of Kline’s Resort Road, where access into six trailers in winter storage had been attempted. Authorities were called to the scene in response to the owner of a trailer that had been accessed without permission.

State Rep. Aaron Miller has announced his monthly in-district office hours with local residents, emphasizing the importance of being available to the community. The second-term representative said he enjoys the opportunity to connect with people and hear what matters most to them. Miller will hold office hours 8 to 9:30 a.m. Feb. 24 at Baker’s Rhapsody in Dowagiac, and from …