Government

Police say a driver fleeing an officer has died after losing control of her vehicle on a curve and crashing into a tree. Battle Creek police said the officer was trying to stop the woman for speeding and reckless driving when the crash occurred about 3:30 a.m. Sunday. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. Her …

Sturgis Police and Fire responded last week to an incident involving a vehicle that had rolled down the embankment of an abandoned railroad bed. According to a department media release, rescue personnel responded at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday to a remote location on the former Indiana Northeastern Railroad bed, just west of the former crossing at Big Hill Road in Fawn …

State police last week responded to a three-vehicle crash involving a wrong-way driver on an interstate in Branch County. According to a department media release, troopers were advised at 11:25 p.m. Friday that a Jeep entered the southbound lanes of Interstate 69 by driving north onto the exit ramp in Coldwater Township. The Jeep struck the rear trailer of a …

Troopers from Michigan State Police are investigating recent, unrelated thefts. The first incident involved multiple packages left at a home on Patterson Lane, a dead-end street in Three Rivers. The theft occurred between noon and 1 p.m. Sunday, police said. The packages were left on the ground in front of the home and no one was at home. The items stolen …

St. Joseph County’s board of commissioners has approved amendments to the bylaws of the Veterans Affairs Board. During last week’s meeting, commissioners agreed to the changes that include dropping the requirement calling for at least one board member to have served in WW I. The bylaw was changed to read “… at least one member shall represent a congressionally chartered …

Fire caused heavy damage Monday to a home in the 70000 block of M-66 in Sturgis Township. Tri-Township firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke coming from the residence and authorities believe the fire started in the rear of the home before spreading to the attic. No injuries were reported. The homeowner was at work at the time of the blaze, …

A Three Rivers man was arrested on multiple offenses following an incident originating at the Three Rivers Walmart. State police said troopers responded to the store after receiving a complaint of someone attempting to leave the business without paying for two 32-inch flat-screen televisions. The incident was reported at 4:15 p.m. Saturday. Store officials were able to provide the suspect …

State representatives and senators who resign from office will not be allowed to run in the special election called to fill their seats after legislation introduced by state Rep. Aaron Miller was recently signed into law. Miller, who chairs the House Elections and Ethics Committee, said the legislation was drafted to close a loophole used by two former lawmakers during …

A Marcellus woman was hospitalized for injuries she suffered as the result of a two-car accident last week in Cass County. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called around 1 p.m. Saturday to Marcellus Highway, near Finch Road, in response to the incident. Meredith Robinson, 23, told investigators she was driving west on Marcellus Highway when she lost control of …

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners Chairman Allen Balog said he owes no apology to anyone claiming the county overpaid for a piece of land developed this year into a park. Furthermore, Balog said the allegation that the county was too generous in its purchase price because it was bought from a former county employee is wrong. Balog’s statements stem …