News

Six area football teams, including four from St. Joseph County, qualified for the 2013 state playoffs. Pairings were announced Sunday and starting with Division 3, Sturgis managed to make the cut despite not reaching the six-win level. The 5-and-4 Trojans will play at 8-and-1 St. Joseph. In Division 6, Constantine kept its playoff streak alive, as the 5-and-4 Falcons travel …

A Constantine truck driver was cited for driving too fast for conditions following an accident Friday afternoon in the village of Centreville. According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, Glenn Miller was ticketed after the 12:18 p.m. incident on West Main Street near West Burr Oak Street. Miller, 63, was driving his rig west on Main Street when he …

Here’s a reminder that the Animal Rescue Fund of St. Joseph County is celebrating National Cat Day Tuesday by initiating a “Cans for Cats” fundraiser during the month of November. “Cans for Cats” will benefit the spay-and-neuter procedure of free-roaming feral cats in the area. ARF is collecting returnable bottles and cans through Nov. 30. Ten-cent cans and bottles may …

Kraft foods is recalling about 735,000 cases of its cheese. The company recalled its Kraft and Polly-O string cheese because they may spoil before their Best When Used By code dates – which leads to discoloration. The products were dated from October 25th, 2013, to February 11, 2014. The cheese was shipped to Kraft customers across the United States. Kraft …

A former LaGrange County man suspected of setting fire to Welch’s Steak and Ribs in 2009 entered a plea of no contest during his appearance in St. Joseph County Circuit Court Wednesday. Nathan Lumbard, 31, entered the plea in response to the charge of arson in exchange for a plea bargain reached with the county prosecutor’s office. For the charge …

A full-size pickup truck was reported stolen this week from a residence in White Pigeon Township. State police investigators said a 2008 Toyota Tundra was taken between 8 p.m. Sunday and 8 a.m. Monday from a residence in the 1500 block of Lake Road. The vehicle was parked inside a pole barn and features an extended cab, four doors and …

Annette Smitley has been named the St. Joseph County Intermediate School District employee of the year. An educational consultant, Smitley plays a key role in professional development for new teachers as well as mentor training. Other nominees for the award were school nurse Kim Robertson, speech therapist Lynelle Garvey, assistant instructor Karrie Frederick and office assistant Mandy Dodson.

A 37-year-old White Pigeon man was arrested Thursday night after Sturgis police attempted to stop him for not having lights on his bicycle. The incident occurred in the area of North Clay and Washington Streets. The subject attempted to ride away after police activated emergency lights. The subject then got off his bicycle and ran. After a lengthy foot pursuit, …

Constantine village and township plan to reimburse more than $200,000 owed to a former manufacturing plant following a reassessment of its property taxes. Village officials this week were told Rexam Closure Systems appealed its 2011 tax assessment. The assessment was $11.2 million but reduced to $4.5 million following its appeal. As a result, the village and township owe a total …

A potluck dinner last weekend was staged to honor Colon’s 2013 Citizens of the Year, Linda Musall and Frank Fisher. The two longtime area residents received plaques and were saluted by many of the 70-plus people in attendance. The pair also served as grand marshals during the village’s Fourth of July parade. Though the village typically has just one Citizen …