News

A rural Constantine man was airlifted to Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo early Saturday after a one-car crash in the village of Constantine. Police said Darrell Wood, age 26, was the lone passenger in a vehicle that was eastbound on Riverside Drive when he failed to negotiate a curve at Sixth Street around 1:30 a.m. His vehicle clipped a tree …

A pair of 14-year-old girls learned the dangers of currents on Lake Michigan while sunbathing on Mother’s Day in New Buffalo Township. The raft they were using caught a current and was taken roughly 300 yards offshore into Lake Michigan as they were sleeping on it. The girls had no paddles and were not wearing life jackets but they did …

The driver of a stolen vehicle remains at large after he eluded police during a two-county pursuit last week. State police troopers said the man was seen around 7 p.m. Thursday driving a vehicle reported stolen from the village of Colon. The vehicle was initially spotted eastbound on U.S. 12 near Big Hill Road. The driver headed into Burr Oak, …

The St. Joseph County Animal Control Department has been chosen to receive a $10,000 grant for spay and neuter services. In a correspondence to county commissioners last week, director Tom Miller said the service is performed before animals are adopted from the Centreville agency. Miller indicated he hopes the measure will help increase adoption rates at the shelter. By unanimous …

Three Rivers Community Schools has lost its director of operations, as Steve Lucas took a job with the Cass County Road Commission. Lucas will become managing director of the Cass County Road Commission. He is stepping into a job previously held by Christopher Bolt, who was splitting the task with St. Joseph County. A 20-year school district employee, Lucas’ last …

Several items of value were stolen from a Sturgis residence last week. State police said the incident occurred between 3 and 4:30 p.m. Thursday at a residence near the intersection of Vinewood and Lockwood streets. Access was gained through forced entry. On the same day, a breaking-and-entering incident took place between 6:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. in the 64000 block …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has reached an employment agreement with Lori Barczak to serve as juvenile day treatment supervisor. During action at last week’s commission meeting, the five-member panel OK’d the employment agreement, including a $41,000 annual salary plus benefits. Barczak’s hiring is under the condition of an at-will employee.

Motor-vehicle offenses, including the number of drunken drivers, decreased in St. Joseph County last year compared to 2012. District Court Judge Jeff Middleton provided details during his annual report Tuesday before the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. His news, however, came with a caveat, as Middleton said he suspects the decrease was the result of fewer law-enforcement officials on …

State Rep. Matt Lori on Thursday commended House approval of a legislative package to fund repairs to Michigan’s transportation system. He called the action a good first step toward a sustainable solution. Lori voted in favor of the bills that will dedicate $450 million to help fix the state’s transportation system. The increased funding would go into effect in 2015. …

An audio and video system was stolen Wednesday from a vehicle in Park Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said the truck was parked on private property in the 54000 block of Wilbur Road. Details regarding access into the vehicle were not indicated in a department media release.