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Organizers of the third annual 5K walk and run to support the Jonathan Edds  Memorial Fund have announced details of the 2012 event. Sponsored by the White Pigeon Parks and Recreation Department, the community activity begins at 9 a.m. Aug. 18, with a Fallen Soldiers Memorial dedication to follow at 1 p.m. at Wahbememe Park, at the northwest corner of …

A Sturgis woman was killed in a 1-car crash Friday morning on M-60 in Branch County’s Sherwood Township. The victim was identified as 21-year-old Natasha Richardson. She reportedly lost control of her car, rolling it over. The car caught fire, trapping her inside. Richardson’s sister, 23-year-old Catherine Richardson, was a passenger in the vehicle. She was able to escape from …

Officials with the Animal Rescue Fund of St. Joseph County have issued a media release regarding illicit donation requests for the agency. ARF spokesperson Shelly Starr said a group of people allegedly soliciting donations from intersections in White Pigeon and Constantine are not affiliated with Animal Rescue Fund. Agency officials said ARF never solicits money from intersections. Its fundraising events …

The Colon Community Fire and Rescue Department has announced a new fire chief and rescue captain. Board members of the fire-and-rescue agency said Matt Overholt will serve as chief. He succeeds Tim Doenges, who resigned after a 13-year tenure due to family reasons. Overholt was selected last week from a field of three applicants. Meanwhile, Todd Wadsworth was named the …

St. Joseph County is one of 26 counties in Michigan to receive funding for enhanced law-enforcement patrol specifically targeting drunken drivers. The additional enforcement has been in place since last weekend and will continue through Sunday. The Michigan Office of Highway Planning has provided the funding to cover the cost of additional state police patrols.

A 33- year-old Sturgis man escaped serious injury last week, when he crashed a motorcycle. Deputies said Michael Ritter was eastbound on Banker Street, near Zabel Shores about 11: 30 p.m. Wednesday, when he tried to avoid a deer, lost control of the motorcycle and crashed. Police said Ritter and the bike slid about 70 feet along the pavement. Ritter …

Investigators looking into the cause of a house fire in Sherman Township last week indicated faulty wiring in an air conditioner was the likely cause of the blaze. The residence, in the 62000 block of Shimmel Road, was destroyed by the fast-moving fire. Investigators said they suspect a wiring malfunction in an air-conditioning unit attached on the first floor caused …

Members of the Sturgis Public Works Department spent three hours clearing animal debris from two U.S. 12 intersections last week. City officials said some of the contents of a semi truck were spilled around 7 a.m. Thursday at Centerville Road and further east at Clay Street. The animal parts were loaded two days earlier and sat all day in 100-degree …

The Animal Rescue Fund of St. Joseph County is appealing to the public for help in providing some items needed immediately. Cat and dog food, cat carriers and litter box filler, bath towels and foster and permanent homes for pets are needed in addition to monetary donations and gas cards. People wishing to inquire about making a donation or ask …

The St. Joseph County Conservation District has announced it is planning a paddle poker run, a fundraiser to help raise money for the agency’s river and riverbank cleanup efforts. Conservation District officials said they recently cleared the hurdles necessary with the state in order to stage the lottery-type event. The paddle poker run will take place Sept. 2 on the …