Government

Injury after crash

A 25-year-old Coopersville woman was injured after she was involved in an accident on U.S. 131 at Flowerfield Road in Park Township last week. According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, Elizabeth Polk was driving south on U.S. 131 when she swerved to avoid a vehicle that stopped at the Flowerfield Road intersection but not within a safe clearance …

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Fire at TR apartment complex

The Three Rivers Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire shortly after 12:30am Tuesday at Waterfront Apartments on Thomas Street. Firefighters arrived to find smoke showing, fire alarms activated, and some occupants evacuating out of the 12 units on the north half of a 24 unit building. During a door-to-door check, a total of four apartments required forcible entry …

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Man arrested after standoff

A 24-year-old Mottville Township man was arrested Friday afternoon, following a standoff with police lasting more than three hours. Brandon Culbertson was sought by police after the St. Joseph County Narcotics Unit followed up on a tip regarding the production of methamphetamine. Police said Culbertson was spotted in a vehicle and he fled into a wooded area as officers attempted …

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Csokasy taking leave of absence

Louis Csokasy, manager of road commissions in St. Joseph and Cass counties, said he is taking a leave of absence from both jobs starting next month in order to serve as interim administrator of Cass County. Csokasy, 64, said he was asked by Cass County officials late last week to fill the post left vacant after Charles Cleaver resigned earlier …

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Fertilizer spill cleaned up

A nitrogen fertilizer spill in Florence Township Wednesday afternoon resulted in the leakage of 90 gallons of fertilizer. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said the incident occurred on Engle Road, just north of Featherstone Road. Officials said a tank was being pulled by a tractor when a weld broke. A level-gauge device snapped off when the tank dropped to …

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Sheriff appealing to public

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is appealing to the public for help regarding the theft of copper wire from an irrigation system. Shortly after noon on June 9, deputies were called to a field at Strawser and Dickenson Roads in White Pigeon Township regarding larceny of irrigation center-pivot-span cables. Investigators said two, 120-foot-span cables from the pivot were stolen.

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Fire Chiefs asking for a ban on burning

A grass fire Wednesday in Sturgis Township burned more than five acres of a field along Stubey Road. Officials from the Tri-Township Fire Department said it appears embers from a burning barrel triggered the fire. There were no injuries reported. Fire chiefs across the county are asking for a ban on outdoor burning at least until a measurable rainfall hits …

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Deputy to patrol Cade Lake Park

A part-time deputy from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department will patrol Cade Lake Park over the course of five days next month. The decision comes after members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved Parks and Recreation Department Director John Pence to use money from the Cade Lake fund to cover expenses related to patrol. …

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Pay raise granted

A pay raise was granted Tuesday to St. Joseph County Drain Commissioner Jeff Wenzel. Commissioners had previously authorized Wenzel’s job be expanded from 28 to 40 hours, but no action was taken regarding his $33,000-a-year salary. After reviewing the matter Friday at their executive committee meeting, commissioners without comment Tuesday agreed to up Wenzel’s annual pay to $47,500. The amendment …

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Road work in Constantine

The Michigan Department of Transportation announced a three-day road project in Constantine that will result in lane closures. MDOT officials said single-lane closures on U.S. 131 at the St. Joseph River bridge started Tuesday and are expected to remain in place through 5 p.m. Thursday. A team of MDOT officials will be involved in bridge repairs, according to an agency …

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