St Joseph County

An outbreak of whooping cough has struck up to 30 people in St. Joseph County, largely in the Amish community. Val Newton, prevention services director for the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency, announced details of the outbreak last week. Because of recent gatherings for weddings and church meetings among the Amish community, Newton said she is concerned the cold-like disease could …

A breaking-and-entering incident at a Constantine Township residence was investigated this week. State police said troopers were called around 10 p.m. Wednesday to the 11000 block of North River Road. The victim told authorities the break-in occurred between 1 p.m. Saturday and 8 p.m. Wednesday. Items taken include a plastic tote and a clam ice shanty. Authorities have not stated …

Members of the White Pigeon Collaborative Team, a group of community volunteers looking to improve the village, is pursuing a bingo night as a fundraiser toward development of a sidewalk. The proposed sidewalk would extend from the village limit to an area near U.S. 131. During the group’s monthly meeting last week, members agreed such an event would require at …

Century Bank and Trust employees recently presented a check for more than $1,900 to Victim Services of St. Joseph County. The funds were raised during the second quarter of the year by employees who paid to wear jeans on Fridays. The effort was undertaken by Century Bank and Trust employees in Three Rivers, Nottawa and Sturgis. The Victim Service Unit …

A plea agreement between a former Sturgis teacher and the St. Joseph County prosecutor’s office was withdrawn Tuesday in St. Joseph County District Court. Keith Andrew Lang was set to enter a no contest/guilty plea to one count of attempted fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. However, District Court Judge Jeff Middleton said he couldn’t agree to portions of the deal. As …

A Leonidas Township resident reported the theft of a trailer. State police were called Wednesday morning to the 5200 block of Fulton Road, where the victim said the 5-by-8-foot trailer featured a black steel frame, aluminum fender, and plywood covering the sides and bottom.

State police responded this week to a breaking-and-entering of an abandoned residence in Constantine Township. According to a department media release, troopers responded to the 12000 block of North River Road and found forced entry was gained into the house and adjacent barns and sheds. Investigators found numerous antiques, tools and a four-wheel ATV had been stolen.

Members of the Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Board of St. Joseph County have agreed to begin the process of terminating the agency’s executive director. ​Following an 80-minute executive session at the onset of Tuesday’s meeting, the board approved a motion to schedule a hearing at its August meeting to commence the procedure of discharging Elizabeth O’Dell. ​There was no discussion …

The Portage man charged with shooting to death two people last week – including a St. Joseph County resident – was arraigned Monday. St. Joseph County court officials said 32-year-old Zachary Patten was arraigned in St. Joseph County District Court. Judge Rob Pattison charged Patten with homicide, open murder, firearms and home invasion. The felony charges stem from Thursday’s shooting …

Here’s a reminder that a fundraiser to benefit Domestic and Sexual Abuse Services will be staged in two weeks. “Walk A Mile In Her Shoes,” a one-mile walk to raise awareness and funds for the Three Rivers-based agency, will be Aug. 12 at Lafayette Park in Three Rivers. The walk starts at 11 a.m. and will include a kids’ walk, …