St Joseph County

Three Rivers Fire Department Chief Dan Tomlinson has announced the agency has been awarded an improved rating by the Insurance Services Office. As a result of the agency’s rating from Class 5 to Class 4 effective Aug. 1, insurance premiums for a number of residential, commercial and industrial property owners within the city limits could decrease. Tomlinson said the ISO’s …

Organizers of this weekend’s Mendon Riverfest have issued a reminder that many of the activities set to take place during the three-day celebration require advance registration. The festival’s website has sign-up forms for prospective participants in the Riverfest parade, its arts and crafts exhibit, Saturday’s Hornet Hustle 5K run, a fishing tournament, canoe swamp, canoe race, kayak race and Thursday’s …

Troopers from the Michigan State Police detachment in White Pigeon are investigating an incident during which a man pointed a gun at a group of children at a rural location in Mendon Township. A group of four children were riding bicycles Thursday on Wakeman Road, west of Baer Road, when a man in a green GMC pickup truck pointed a …

An irrigation panel was damaged during an incident between Aug. 4 and 5 in a field on Peck Academy Road in Constantine Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said the damage to a center-pivot irrigation system came shortly after the pivot had been repaired from having its copper wire stolen. The extent of damage and cost of repairs was …

Park Township officials have accepted a low bid of $29,000 to demolish the former Parkville Christian Community Church. During action last week, the township board approved the bid from Three Rivers-based Roberts Brothers Excavating, which could begin the tear-down process as early as by the end of the month. The 146-year-old building has been deemed unsafe by township officials and …

A 50-year-old Nottawa woman remains in critical condition as she recovers from being struck by a car while riding her bike last week. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Esther Schmucker has been at Bronson Methodist Hospital since she was struck head-on by a vehicle driven by 28-year-old Jeremy Conley, of Sturgis. The incident occurred around 5:30 p.m. Thursday …

Officials from the city of Sturgis have closed the RV dumping station near the municipal airport due to several incidents of improper and illegal use of the site. Road construction on West Lafayette Street this summer forced the station to be closed temporarily. Numerous incidents of illegal use and misuse, however, prompted city officials to close the site for good. …

Jewelry and money were reported taken during a break-in at a residence in Lockport Township last week. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said the incident occurred in the 61000 block of Shorewood Drive. The burglary took place between Aug. 4 and 8. A media release did not indicate the method of entry.

Five St. Joseph County-based departments played a critical role in helping extinguish a large-scale fire Friday morning in Vicksburg. A 4 a.m. blaze at a former paper mill required the services of 10 fire agencies to douse an intentionally-set blaze at the 435,000-square-foot building. The facility, which has been dormant and used only for storage, served for years as the …

An assessment district for weed control in Clear Lake has been established by the Fabius Township Board. At the behest of several Clear Lake residents and the Clear Lake Improvement Association, the assessment district will allow for the financial resources needed to combat weed growth in the lake. Specifically, concern has centered on the invasive, non-native Eurasian milfoil. Clear Lake …