Government

St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough has charged an 18-year-old Three Rivers man with 21 counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. According to an affidavit from the prosecutor’s office, Alec Piper allegedly had an ongoing sexual relationship with a female child in his homes in Lockport and Fabius townships. The victim told St. Joseph County Sheriff deputies that initially Piper …

A Three Rivers man was one of two people arrested last weekend on drug-related charges following a traffic stop in Constantine Township. State police stopped a vehicle at 11:20 p.m. Saturday on U.S. 131 at Drummond Road after it was observed traveling 73 miles per hour. An authorized search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of several bags of …

State Rep. Aaron Miller has commended his House colleagues for joining him in approving landmark legislation that opens state government to more public scrutiny. Miller said the 11 bills make the governor and lieutenant governor subject to the Freedom of Information Act and creates a similar disclosure requirement for state representatives and senators called the Legislative Open Records Act. Miller …

Authorities have identified two fishermen who died after the boat they were riding in capsized in a lake in southwestern Michigan. Michigan State Police say a 45-year-old man Douglas Charles McIntyre of Decatur and 64-year-old Robert E. Novick of Evergreen Park, Illinois, were found in Keeler Lake on Saturday evening and were pronounced dead at separate hospitals. Rescue crews were …

A new coffee shop and cafe in downtown Kalamazoo is almost completely staffed by ex-offenders as part of a culinary arts program at Kalamazoo Probation Enhancement Program. The Walnut & Park Cafe officially opened last week. The shop serves coffees ground by the Water Street Coffee Roaster along with homemade baked goods, breakfast and lunch dishes. Program graduates earn certifications …

A Niles man died this week after he was struck by the engine of a freight train in Cass County’s Pokagon Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said the incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the rail crossing a half mile south of Pokagon Highway. Investigators said a Norfolk Southern train traveling north came across a subject on the tracks who …

The start of county commission meetings from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. has not resulted in greater attendance. Commissioners during their executive committee meeting Wednesday were provided attendance details by board chairman Allen Balog. The commission for years had met at 5 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of the month. With three new members joining the five-person board at …

Remodeling the courts building and upgrading the kitchen at the county jail were identified Wednesday as the highest priorities by county commissioners. During a work session following their executive committee meeting, commissioners reviewed five projects that have been on the drawing board for years but are currently in a holding pattern. After an hour of discussion, commissioners agreed the courthouse …

State Rep. Aaron Miller last week praised his colleagues in the Michigan House of Representatives for approving his legislation to prevent state representatives and senators who resign from office from running in the special election called to fill the seat. Miller, who chairs the House Elections and Ethics Committee, said the legislation simply clarifies that when an elected official resigns …

Three vehicles, including a car driven by a White Pigeon man, were involved in an accident earlier this month in Cass County’s Mason Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said a car driven by 83-year-old Gordon Jackson of White Pigeon was heading north March 3 on Tharp Lake Road when it pulled into the path of a car heading east on U.S. …