Government

Areas of St. Joseph and Branch counties, and elsewhere in Southwest Michigan, are recovering from damage caused by a fierce storm that tore through the area late Tuesday afternoon. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman reported power outages and widespread damage, including exceptionally heavy destruction in and around portions of Nottawa, Colon, and Leonidas townships in St. Joseph County. A pole barn adjacent …

A Three Rivers man died over the weekend as the result of a stabbing incident. Police Chief Scott Boling issued a media release Monday. He stated that the incident occurred shortly before midnight Sunday in the 300 block of Fourth Avenue. Upon arrival, officers located a 61-year-old man with stab wounds. He was airlifted to Bronson Methodist Hospital, where he …

A Three Rivers man was injured in a personal-injury crash over the weekend in Cass County’s Porter Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were dispatched shortly after 9 p.m. Saturday to an area near the intersection of U.S. 12 and Robbins Lake Road. Investigators said 36-year-old Joshua Leszczewski was negotiating a curve when his vehicle crossed the center line. His …

The Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce has teamed with the Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce to present a St. Joseph County Political Forum. The two-night event will feature candidates for a number of local races. The first, which will start at 5 p.m. May 29th, will showcase the two contestants for drain commissioner followed by candidates for the five-person …

A suspect accused of breaking into two Mendon homes was identified Tuesday, according to the Mendon Police Department. WWMT is reporting that although the suspect’s name is not being disclosed due to an active investigation, the 46-year-old Three Rivers man allegedly broke into a home on East Main Street around 3:30 a.m. Monday. He ran away, however, before deputies arrived. …

Strong winds proved to be a nemesis to firefighters attempting to extinguish a blaze at the St. Joseph County Fairgrounds Saturday, according to Centreville Fire Chief Dave Miracle. One merchant barn, Building 42, was destroyed and two additional suffered exterior damage, he said. Central dispatch alerted Centreville Fire at 4:11 p.m. Miracle said he noticed flames on the roof and …

St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department responded to a shooting incident over the weekend in Leonidas Township. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman said deputies were called shortly before 3 p.m. Saturday to the 30000 block of Longnecker Road. Once on scene, deputies located a subject with a gunshot wound to his shoulder. The victim was airlifted from the scene. Meanwhile, authorities concluded the …

This morning at 5:38am, St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to US-131 near Wilbur Road (North junction) for a report of a car vs. pedestrian traffic crash. Once on scene, Three Rivers and Fabius Fire Departments provided medical attention to a 39-year-old male. Deputies interviewed motorists in two separate vehicles which had struck the pedestrian on the south bound lane …

Speed and alcohol were cited as potential factors in a fatal, two-car crash in White Pigeon Township over the weekend, according to investigators. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman said deputies were called around 2 a.m. Saturday to an area of Fawn River Road, near Mill Pond Road, in reference to a head-on crash. Upon arrival, deputies were made aware of a 26-year-old …

A Constantine man died in a two-vehicle crash on Friday in Fabius Township. Michigan State Police troopers were called to an area near the south intersection of U.S. 131 and M-60 in response to a head-on crash. Investigators said a Ford Escape was traveling south on 131 when it crossed into the northbound lane. The Escape collided with a semi …