News

A longtime fixture at the Colon Police Department is retiring. Chief Mark Brinkert, who joined the agency in 1993, is helping with the task of finding his replacement. Brinkert, who graduated from the Kalamazoo Regional Recruit Academy in 1984, has previously worked for police departments in Vicksburg and Schoolcraft, and in 1982 he was named Benton Harbor Police Department’s “Officer …

The strike at Dauch Corporation in Three Rivers has entered its second day. Nearly 1,000 members of United Auto Workers Local 2093 remain off the job after contract negotiations failed to produce a new agreement. Union leaders say the dispute centers on wages and benefits. The Three Rivers plant supplies axle components to General Motors facilities around the country. Neither …

Neighbors near Dowagiac’s Hyperscale data center have filed a federal class-action lawsuit against owners of Hyperscale Data, “Alliance Cloud Services.” According to WSBT, neighbors are making strides to stop what they say is a perpetual noise emitting from the center. Neighbors have said they hear a constant humming sound detectable even from inside their homes. The perpetual sound is created …

Nearly 1,000 union workers at Dauch Corporation in Three Rivers walked off the job at midnight Monday after contract negotiations failed to produce a new labor agreement. According to WWMT, members of United Auto Workers Local 2093 began the strike following months of negotiations with the company, formerly known as American Axle. Union leaders say workers have not received what …

Cass County Sheriff Clint Roach issued a media release last week detailing an encounter with former prosecutor Victor Fitz. Last Wednesday, Roach and Undersheriff Tim Schuur attended what they believed was going to be a press conference. Roach said he was confronted by a person as he entered the venue. Roach said he was then approached by Fitz, who advised …

April’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County decreased by two-tenths of a percent from March. Figures from the monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget show St. Joseph County’s unemployment rate fell from 4.3 percent in March to 4.1 percent in April. Meanwhile, Cass County also experienced a decrease in its unemployment figures from March …

A federal dam safety order will likely lower the St. Joseph River for a year or more. MLive reports that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has ordered a 3-foot drawdown due to embankment safety concerns at the Sturgis Dam. Sturgis city officials were ordered to lower the reservoir by July 15 as an interim risk-reduction measure after inspectors found continued …

A 37-year-old Vandalia woman died after the all-terrain vehicle she was driving struck a pole. Sheriff Clint Roach said deputies were called shortly after 1 a.m. Wednesday to a field off Kirk Lake Road, in Newberg Township. Investigators said Stacie Hershburger-Hebron was operating an ATV in a hay field when the vehicle struck a pole, causing it to land on …

Cass County Sheriff Clint Roach said deputies are investigating a hit-and-run fatal crash that occurred over the weekend in Silver Creek Township. Roach said deputies were dispatched shortly before 10 a.m. Sunday to the area of M-152 and Pleasant Street. Investigators said the victim, 24-year-old Benton Harbor resident Timothy Johnson, was walking along the state road when he was struck …

Constantine village officials have made a social media post as a follow-up to a community forum staged earlier this month. The post centers on the May 14 gathering, where the most-common topics raised by residents were addressing junk vehicles, blight and property maintenance. “You spoke, we listened,” the posting said, followed by the fact that the village has stepped up …