Government

A chimney fire is being cited as the source of a blaze that destroyed a house in Mendon Township last week. Investigators said the conclusion was made after a closer look into the situation and its origin. The fire, which was reported at 11:30 a.m. Friday, destroyed a residence in the 53500 block of Nottawa Road. One occupant inside the …

Authorities say an 83-year-old woman has died in a fire at her Kalamazoo-area home. MLive.com reports that Kalamazoo County Undersheriff Pali Matyas says she’s believed to be the owner of the house in Galesburg. Her name wasn’t immediately released. Charleston-Galesburg assistant fire Chief Joe Coleman says authorities got a call about 4:15 a.m. Monday and says two other departments helped …

Troopers from the White Pigeon state police detachment are investigating separate theft incidents reported earlier this month in Fabius and Mottville townships. In the first case, an 18-foot car-hauler trailer was stolen from a Fabius Township residence in the 14000 block of Gleason Road. The trailer was likely stolen between Oct. 30 and Nov. 1. Troopers were called last week …

Four Three Rivers residents were treated for injuries they suffered in a two-vehicle accident Saturday in Fabius Township. According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, a vehicle driven by 19-year-old Samantha Jo Combs attempted to turn left off U.S. 131 and onto North Main Street into the path of a vehicle driven northbound on U.S. 131 by 52-year-old Karen …

A restructuring plan was announced Wednesday by Glen Oaks Community College officials, who said a loss in student enrollment and a drop in property taxes were major reasons the moves were necessary. Glen Oaks President Gary Wheeler said the position of director of academic services will be cut. Meanwhile, another administrative position will be eliminated by combining the roles of …

Ken Malone and Robert Hile were re-appointed Monday as mayor and vice-mayor for the city of Sturgis. The action took place during the commission’s organizational meeting. In addition, Michael Austermann and Charles Huber were sworn in as city commissioners. Austermann ran unopposed last week for the Precinct 1 seat vacated by David Smith, who announced his retirement from the board …

State police from the Coldwater post are investigating a pair of breaking-and-entering incidents reported last week. At 5 p.m. Nov. 6, troopers responded to a residence in the 71000 block of Harrison Road in Mottville Township, where a residence was burglarized. The homeowner told police a four-wheeler, snow blower, television, gaming system and tools were stolen. On the same day …

A Gator-brand off-road vehicle and a leaf blower were reported stolen last week from a barn at Meyer Broadway Park. State police investigators said the John Deere Gator and Stihl backpack-style leaf blower were taken during the incident, which was reported last Thursday. In a separate but potentially related incident, a chainsaw was reported stolen last Thursday from a logging …

State police investigators are looking into a situation in Florence Township, where a small-caliber rifle was fired at a residence. According to a department media release, the homeowner reported two rounds were fired through a living room window, passed through a wall and into a laundry room. One of the two bullets struck a washing machine, the other was lodged …

The St. Joseph County Council for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect is hosting a pair of parenting workshops later this month. “More 1, 2, 3 Magic” a program for encouraging positive behavior for children ages 2 through 12 years, takes place 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 18. “Winning at Parenting,” for a humorous approach to discipline, is offered 6 …