Government

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department was called to Camp Eberhart this week in response to a man with a firearm in the woods near the camp. Sheriff’s officials said deputies responded to the Fabius Township property shortly after 12:30 p.m. Tuesday. The man was described as an older white male, wearing a stocking cap, maroon Carhart jacket and blue …

A crash Monday in Fawn River Township led to a lengthy interruption of internet and other services in St. Joseph County. According to Michigan State Police, the crash occurred just before 6 p.m. on Fawn River Road near Big Hill Road. A tractor-trailer driven by John Smoll of Elida, Ohio, was hauling an excavator that was over the legally allowed …

State Rep. Kim LaSata announced Tuesday she has filed paperwork to be a candidate for the 21st State Senate district in the 2018 election. LaSata, a Republican from the Berrien County community of Bainbridge, hopes to replace Sen. John Proos, who cannot seek re-election due to term limits. The 21st Senate District encompasses St. Joseph, Cass and Berrien counties. LaSata …

State police investigators out of the Coldwater detachment are looking into an explosion earlier this week in Branch County’s Sherwood Township. The incident occurred at 9:50 p.m. Monday inside a dumpster in the 100 block of Oliverda Drive. Authorities said the explosion was heard up to half a mile away and scattered debris more than 60 feet out of the …

A western Michigan funeral home will host a community memorial service for 30 dogs that died in a boarding kennel fire late last month. Clock Funeral Home of Muskegon is hosting the service April 12 for families to share memories of their pets that died at Storm’s Ahead Kennel in Fruitport Township. Each pet that perished in the March 30 …

Constantine Fire Chief Mike Haydon was recently presented with the agency’s 2018 “Firefighter of the Year Award” by Bryan Hughey. Haydon was honored March 18 at an awards banquet at the station. Also honored with service pins were assistant fire chief Mark Moore, 25 years; Trevor Arnold, 10 years; Blake Piper, five years; and John Hofmeister, five years.

A Three Rivers teen will appear in court this week on a charge of armed robbery. St. Joseph County court officials said 17-year-old Austin Palmer has a preliminary examination scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday in St. Joseph County District Court. Palmer was arrested March 19 after he was confronted by security personnel at the Three Rivers Menard’s after allegedly attempting …

State police officials are investigating a Calhoun County fatality that is being termed suspicious. Troopers responded at 4:20 p.m. Wednesday to the eastbound lane of I-94, just west of Capital Avenue, where a 59-year-old woman was found unresponsive inside her vehicle. Her car was in a ditch alongside the freeway. Authorities said the woman’s name is Vanessa Wilder, though her …

Authorities say a Michigan State Police trooper has shot and wounded a man who refused to drop what turned out to be an airsoft gun. Police say the 36-year-old was being sought on felony warrants and authorities got word he was in a church parking lot Monday evening in the Hastings area. Police tried to block the man from driving …

A 41-year-old Three Rivers man is in custody relating to an arson incident last week at Maple Crest Apartments. Members of the Three Rivers Fire Department were summoned at 5:30 a.m. Saturday to building 1006, where a fire alarm had sounded. A resident found a trash can on fire inside the building’s common area and heavy smoke throughout the structure. …