Government

A 29-year-old Constantine woman received minor injuries in a one-car crash Thursday afternoon in Florence Township. Danila Reiff was treated for injuries after the car she was driving struck a utility pole along Centreville-Constantine Road in Florence Township. St. Joseph County Sheriff’s deputies said Reiff was driving southwest around 2:30 p.m. when she swerved to avoid colliding with another vehicle …

The St. Joseph County Register of Deeds office is advising that a South Dakota company has sent direct-mail solicitation to county residents seeking a significant sum of money for property records. Records may be obtained from the county’s Register of Deeds Office at a cost of a few dollars. St. Joseph County Clerk Pattie Bender said the company, Property Transfer …

A prosecutor says a Battle Creek police officer was justified in shooting a 14-year-old boy who had a toy gun in the waistband of his pants. The Battle Creek Enquirer and WOOD-TV report that Calhoun County Prosecutor David Gilbert says the officer “violated no criminal law” when he wounded the boy in the shoulder Nov. 16 while responding to a …

The St. Joseph County Community Action Agency is taking appointments for assistance with heat, electric and deliverable fuels. Community Action officials said no DHS decision notice is required and prospective recipients need only to present a past-due notice. For deliverable fuels, a fuel-storage tank must be at or below 25 percent. An appointment may be scheduled by phoning 877-422-2726.

Members of the St. Joseph County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 106 presented $500 checks to the Sturgis American Legion Post 73 and Three Rivers American Legion Post 170 during a ceremony Thursday at the FOP lodge, east of Centreville. Treasurer Kathy Pangle presented the money to Al Phillips, of the Three Rivers legion, and Norm Brown, representing the Sturgis …

Two men from Nappanee, Ind., were identified Thursday as the suspects in an alleged armed robbery attempt at Village Pharmacy in Colon. St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough said David Brandys, 22, and Benjamin Dodson, 24, have been charged with two counts of assault with intent to commit armed robbery, one count of fleeing and eluding, and felony firearm. They …

A judge has sentenced a northern Indiana teenager to 65 years in prison for the fatal drive-by shooting of another teen. Seventeen-year-old Jesus Macedo-Perez of Elkhart read during Thursday’s court hearing from a handwritten letter apologizing to the family of 16-year-old Braxton Barhams for the June 22 shooting. Macedo-Perez pleaded guilty to murder charges in exchange for Elkhart County prosecutors …

As lawmakers have ended their work in Lansing for the year, Governor Rick Snyder admits he didn’t get everything he wanted in 2013, but he still appears satisfied. He had asked that the Legislature fund repairs to Michigan’s ailing roads this year, and while that never happened, the governor says he feels they had a very positive, constructive year. He …

October’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County increased half a percent from a month earlier. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 7.8 percent October unemployment rate was up from September’s 7.3 percent figure. The agency said certain summer recreational businesses, including the golf industry, and the loss of seasonal …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a case of furnishing alcohol to minors. According to a department media release, as deputies were looking into the matter Wednesday, they also discovered the suspect had been forging payroll checks. The suspect was arrested for forgery and using a computer to commit a crime. Deputies also learned the suspect was on …