St Joseph County

Officials from the Michigan State Police Fire Investigation unit have determined faulty kitchen appliances were the cause of a March 8 fire that destroyed two businesses in downtown Colon. Sgt. Scott LeRoy said the investigation traced appliances in the rear of Curly’s bar as the source of the fire, which destroyed the business and an adjacent real estate office to …

Steve Chadwick, a biologist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, will be the keynote speaker at Wednesday’s St. Joseph County Conservation District annual meeting. Chadwick will focus on the disease EHD and its impact on the whitetail deer population. Tickets for the event, which includes dinner, are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. The dinner and program …

A 35-year-old Sturgis man was taken into custody after he was apprehended during a home invasion last week. According to Sturgis Police, the man entered a home in the 200 block of Jean Street around 1:40 a.m. Friday through its back door. Upon arrival, police apprehended the man in the living room of the residence. He was charged with burglary, …

The Tamarack Rail Trail is the name given to a proposed trail to connect Sturgis and Coldwater. The moniker was chosen during a meeting last week in Bronson, where nearly two dozen people pondered names and came to a consensus in recognition of the numerous tamarack trees planted along the route when it served as a railroad line between the …

The chief operating officer for Nature’s Fuel said the Constantine site once considered for a St. Joseph County location is off the table. Glenn Johnson said the Fort Wayne-based company found the expense related to settling at the former Rexam plant in the Constantine business park too great. He said all new electrical wiring at the north end of the …

A 33-year-old Three Rivers woman was charged Wednesday with driving while intoxicated and child endangerment after she was involved in a one-vehicle crash in Three Rivers. According to a department media release, the woman drove off the roadway and crashed into a hydrant at the intersection of East Hoffman and Wood streets. Officers investigating the incident performed a series of …

Members of the St. Joseph County Solid Waste Committee have announced April 20 will be the date of the twice-a-year collection of televisions, computer products, old tires, expired medicines and other hard-to-dispose-of items. The household hazardous waste collection recyclable drop-off event will take place in Centreville at the St. Joseph County Fairgrounds Last April, 454 tires, 12,000 pounds of household …

Four children were treated at Three Rivers Health and later released following a one-vehicle accident Wednesday in Mottville Township. According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, their 32-year-old mother was driving east on U.S. 12 when the van she was driving went off the north side of the road and struck a tree. The woman, a White Pigeon-area resident, …

Three Rivers High School junior Teagan Reeves was announced Thursday as a member of the Associated Press all-state, Class B girls basketball first-team. Reeves, who has verbally committed to playing basketball and volleyball at Western Michigan University, averaged 21.3 points in the 2012-13 season. Her presence played a major role in the Wildcats’ 22-2 season record, Wolverine Conference championship and …

Amy Roth, director of the Three Rivers Public Services Department, said the city will not conduct a leaf or brush pickup this spring. Roth issued a reminder that it is against city ordinance to place yard waste or debris in the street or terrace area. Residents must make their own arrangements to dispose of yard waste, limbs and brush, Roth …