Fire/Rescue

Firefighters sent to an apartment in Kalamazoo found a 47-year-old resident dead in a bedroom.  The cause of the fire and the woman’s death are under investigation. The Kalamazoo Public Safety Department calls the fire “suspicious.”  The fire was quickly extinguished Saturday night. No other apartments at the Clayborne Court complex were affected. (AP)

A fire early Friday in the production area at LTi Printing in Sturgis caused significant damage to equipment. According to fire officials, smoke and water damage was heavy throughout the building, located at 518 N. Centerville Road. Meanwhile, LTi officials said they are conducting damage assessments and clean-up has begun. They hope the least-affected areas of the plant will be …

Driving too fast for conditions appears to be the cause of a single-vehicle accident that injured two people last week in Cass County. Sheriff Joe Underwood said deputies were called at 10:30 a.m. Saturday to a stretch of Harvey Street in Porter Township, where a pickup struck a tree. Upon arrival, deputies found Joshua Westphal, 26, of Vandalia, had lost …

The massive fire that killed 18 horses at Smithfield Stables in Edwardsburg last week is being ruled accidental. Fire investigators from the Michigan State Police believe the blaze was sparked by someone burning leaves behind the barn last Tuesday, but note there is no direct evidence to prove that theory. In addition to the 18 show horses, a donkey and a dog …

An 18-year-old Constantine woman was airlifted to Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo after a two-vehicle crash last weekend in Three Rivers. St. Joseph County Sheriff deputies said a vehicle driven by Alexandra Harrison pulled in front of a semi driven by a 42-year-old man from Detroit at 2:50 a.m. Sunday at the intersection of U. S. 131 and West Michigan …

A Cassopolis man was airlifted to South Bend Memorial following a two-vehicle accident over the weekend in Cass County. Sheriff Joe Underwood said 21-year-old Todd Duricic of Cassopolis was driving north on O’Keefe Road shortly before 2 p.m. Sunday in LaGrange Township. Deputies said Duricic attempted a U-turn north of Fox Street when he turned into the path of a …

More than $16,000 was collected during last week’s “Bucket Challenge” competition between the Sturgis Fire Department and Sturgis’ Electric Department. Staged Friday outside the Sturgis Fire Department, the two departments conducted the fundraiser for the benefit of the St. Joseph County United Way. Beginning at 9 a.m., the competition saw city employees spend 30 minutes in either an electric truck …

Deputies from the St Joseph County Sheriff’s Department investigated an accidental shooting last week in Leonidas Township. According to a department media release, the incident took place around 4 p.m. Tuesday at a residence in the 28000 block of Wing Road. A 56-year-old man told investigators he was working on a tractor, when a loaded, 22-caliber rifle fell off one …

The Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Department is conducting an investigation into a one-car crash involving an off-duty Sturgis police officer. Investigators are awaiting toxicology reports before seeking charges against the officer. Sturgis Deputy Police Chief Dave Ives said he is aware of the investigation and that after a criminal investigation is concluded, Sturgis will conduct an internal investigation. The crash occurred …

ServPro of St. Joseph and Cass counties earlier this month conducted its second annual Smoke Detector giveaway, joining up with the Three Rivers Fire Department as part of the promotion. After handing out 75 detectors at last year’s event, the drive pushed past 350 detectors given out in a two-hour span. The giveaway coincided with Fire Prevention Week. ServPro owner …