St Joseph County

Village officials in Centreville agreed this week to dismiss Department of Public Works director Randy Baker following an investigation related to gasoline allegedly taken from the pump designated for municipal vehicles. The vote was made after Baker refused to act on the village’s request last week that he step down from the post. Baker, a Colon resident, is suspected of …

Glen Oaks Community College Current has announced former students, staff and community members are invited to nominate a full-time faculty member for the E. J. Shaheen Chair for Teaching Excellence award for 2013. The award is presented annually to an outstanding faculty member who exemplifies high professional standards, demonstrates excellence in teaching and whose position as a faculty member reflects …

The St. Joseph County Conservation District has announced the dates of its seven river clean-up projects in 2013. It marks the third consecutive year the agency will stage river clean-up events. A 4.7-mile stretch of the Prairie River will be the focus of a June 1 effort in Lockport Township, followed by a 4.5-mile clearing of the Fawn River June …

A 38-year-old White Pigeon-area resident is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in St. Joseph County District Court on a charge of killing an animal. Prosecutor John McDonough authorized the charge against Dallas Barnhart, who allegedly shot a dog belonging to a Constantine woman outside his Sevison Road residence last year. Members of the St. Joseph County Animal Rescue Fund have …

The Michigan Department of Transportation has announced its plans to invest more than $75 million in 2013 to improve 141 miles of roadways and repair 21 bridges in its Southwest Region. The region includes St. Joseph County. The Southwest Region 2013 program will provide approximately $48.4 million for pavement repair and roughly $27 million to upgrade bridges to good condition. …

A 54-year-old Elkhart man was treated for injuries he sustained in a one-car crash over the weekend in Constantine Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Douglas Griffin was driving south on U.S. 131 at 2:20 a.m. Saturday when he lost control of his vehicle and drove it off the roadway. Griffin was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at Three …

Sturgis police arrested a 20-year-old Sturgis man following a vehicle pursuit Friday evening. According to a department press release, officers attempted to stop a vehicle around 7 p.m. Friday near the intersection of North Nottawa and East Hatch streets for an equipment violation. The vehicle sped up and its driver disregarded a stop sign at North Prospect and East Main …

The White Pigeon boys basketball squad is the only remaining St. Joe County team in the boys state high school playoffs, as the Chiefs topped Bridgman in Class C regional play Monday, 41 to 33, in Constantine. The win sets up a regional final rematch from 2011 Wednesday against Schoolcraft. The Eagles topped Bloomingdale in the regional nightcap Monday to …

A half block of businesses in downtown Colon was destroyed by fire Friday morning. The blaze was reported around 9:30 a.m. by Curly’s owners Dan and Kathy Earl, who told firefighters it appears the fire started in the kitchen area. Despite the efforts from nearly a dozen departments, the blaze spread to the east and consumed Five Star Pizza and …

Three children were injured in a two-vehicle accident over the weekend in Florence Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said 43-year-old Melissa Sandker of Constantine was driving north on Lutz Road when her vehicle crossed over the center line and struck a southbound van driven by Jennifer Nusbaum-Suits, 41, of Constantine. The incident occurred shortly before 11 a.m. Saturday. …