St Joseph County

Investigators have concluded that lightning was the source of a barn fire earlier this month in Sherman Township. The barn and its contents were destroyed July 10 as the result of a lightning strike. Tri-Township firefighters were dispatched just after 9 a. m. to the 65000 block of Taylor Road. Upon arrival, fire crews found the structure fully engulfed. Officials …

The St. Joseph County chapter of Whitetails Unlimited recently donated $1,500 to the Sturgis Eagles Club. Carolyn Stevens of Whitetails delivered the grant and said the Eagles qualify because of all the positive work it does for the community. She made special note of the free community Thanksgiving meal, its support of veterans and the days its members work at …

Three Rivers Community Schools Superintendent Jean Logan has issued a statement regarding last week’s drowning death of one of its high school students. Logan said the passing of 16-year-old Marco Chapman is a loss not only to the school district but the community as well. She said the school district will do everything it can to support Chapman’s family, its …

Officials with the Michigan State Lottery said a 23-year-old Three Rivers man last week cashed a winning scratch-off ticket to claim the $100,000 top prize. According to a media release from the Lansing-based agency, the winning $3 ticket was purchased at Paul’s Pantry on East Michigan Avenue. Zach Salmen told lottery officials he stopped at the store to grab a …

The 2017 Wiesloch Sister City Exchange between Sturgis and the German town was experienced earlier this month by 16 Sturgis High School students and their two teacher chaperones. The students participated in the longstanding exchange program between the two sister cities. Students left Sturgis June 19 and returned July 10. The exchange occurs annually and lasts three weeks. Their travels …

Nominations and appointments involving a total of 12 people were made by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners this week. Deb Davis, Joe Heivilin, Al Balog, Barb Fisher, Charles Thompson and Jim MacTavish were nominated to the Commission on Aging Board. Commissioners appointed Cathi Abbs and Kay Decker to the Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Board. Richard Anderson …

Colon Community Schools Board of Education this week agreed to proceed with a search for a new superintendent despite the relatively late start. The district has posted the job and set a July 31 deadline for applications. During Monday’s meeting, the board agreed to narrow the final field of applicants to a manageable number – likely no more than five …

Sturgis Police K-9 Tucky was involved in apprehending a man who was wanted on outstanding warrants. According to the Sturgis Police Department, officers were called around 1 a.m. Tuesday to the 300 block of North Nottawa Street in response to an assault and a man brandishing a firearm. Officers were given a description of the man and shortly thereafter, encountered …

Magic season returns to Colon beginning today. Though Abbott’s Magic Get-Together doesn’t start for a few more weeks, FAB Magic in downtown Colon is staging its two-day Magic Camp starting today. FAB Magic owner Rick Fisher said 100 people have signed up for the third annual event. The larger-than-expected response has forced him to move the event to Colon United …

St. Joseph County’s board of commissioners appears to be in store for a short meeting this evening. The only item of new business is the potential appointment of Theodore Brown as deputy medical examiner. Other items on the agenda include board nominations and appointments to Commission on Aging, Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse, the county Planning Commission, Workforce Development …