Government

Investigators from the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics executed a search warrant Wednesday at a residence in the 1100 block of 3rd Street in Three Rivers. The investigation began with patrol officers attempting to serve an arrest warrant. In the process of executing the warrant, officers noticed marijuana growing on the property. Officers located and seized several marijuana plants, grow …

Two Indiana men were arrested Wednesday evening following a robbery at Village Pharmacy in Colon. An employee reportedly activated a silent alarm which notified police. In the mean time, Colon Police Chief Mark Brinkert, who had just gone off duty, noticed the pair and was following them, since they appeared to be suspicious. He continued to follow the men until …

A breaking-and-entering incident in Fabius Township is being investigated by state police. According to a department media release, the break-in occurred between 9:30 and 9:50 a.m. Tuesday at a residence in the 10000 block of Harder Road. Details regarding the method of entry and whether anything was stolen were not indicated in the release.

A 53-year-old Three Rivers man was not injured after a one-vehicle accident Monday morning in Three Rivers. Three Rivers Police said Kenneth Haines was driving west on Broadway Street when he lost control of his vehicle and struck a power pole on the north side of the roadway, just before South Hooker Avenue. Haines told police he apparently fell asleep.

A Michigan legislator has announced a bill to require gas stations and convenience stores that stay open between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. to have two employees working or to install security cameras. The bill unveiled Monday in western Michigan comes after the April disappearance of a 26-year-old woman from her job at a Norton Shores gas station. Jessica Heeringa’s …

Nearly 1,500 jobs and $53.8 million in new, private investment were announced in St. Joseph County in 2013. The figures were included in the Southwest Michigan First 2013 annual report presented by Ken Jones last week before the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. The 12-month period marks the first full calendar year the St. Joseph County Economic Development Corporation …

A 22-year-old Elkhart man has pleaded guilty to two counts of murder in the shooting deaths of the owner of a northern Indiana convenience store and an employee.  Richard Gross pleaded guilty Monday moments before his trial was scheduled to begin. He admitted taking part in a Sept. 5 robbery at Saleh’s Market east of downtown Elkhart, where 55-year-old Jagtar …

The St. Joseph County Conservation District has announced a forestry workshop it is sponsoring this week. The event is 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday and features two keynote speakers: Ben Schram, forestry assistance program coordinator with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Jeff Steinkraus, consulting forester. The focus of the workshop will center on qualified forestry, conservation …

Troopers from the Michigan State Police detachment in White Pigeon were called Friday to A-1 Storage Unit in Sturgis Township regarding break-ins to several units. The incidents occurred between 5:30 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. Friday in the 68000 block of White School Road.

Three Rivers Community Schools Superintendent Roger Rathburn has announced he plans to run for state representative next year. The 51-year-old Rathburn, who is retiring in June following a 13-year tenure as superintendent in Three Rivers, will seek the 59th District State House seat currently held by Matt Lori. Lori, who will begin his sixth and final year as state rep …