News

History repeated itself Friday, as the Mendon Lady Hornets for the second consecutive year bowed out of the state’s Class C volleyball semi-finals. After coming up short against Beal City in 2012, Mendon fell Friday to Grand Rapids Covenant Christian, there games to one. The Lady Hornets finish the season with a record of 49 wins, eight loses and two …

The St. Joseph County Probate Court will celebrate on Tuesday the 11th annual Michigan Adoption Day during a program at the county courthouse. Staged in conjunction with the Department of Human Services, the event takes place in Judge David Tomlinson’s courtroom from 10 a.m. to noon. “Giving Thanks for Families” is the theme of the 2013 celebration. Organizers said Tuesday’s …

Two people were injured early Monday in a 1-car crash at 1am. The driver was identified as 37-year-old James Devries. He rolled his full size conversion van at the intersection of Wakeman and Baer Roads. County sheriff’s deputies say he fled the scene of the crash, but was later found walking up to his home by an awaiting officer. Devries …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department responded to a two-car collision at 9:30 a.m. Thursday in Lockport Township. According to a department media release, one of two cars going in opposite directions on M-60 near Mahnke Road crossed the center line and collided with the other vehicle. One of the vehicles rolled several times and the driver had to be …

St. Joseph County United Way is joining #Giving Tuesday  to inspire people to improve their communities by creating a better world. Next week, #Giving Tuesday will leverage social media to create a national movement dedicated to giving, just as Black Friday and Cyber Monday have been positioned to be synonymous with holiday shopping, according to Kelly Hostetler, St. Joseph County …

The Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education is looking for a new member, as president Tom Robertson announced his resignation this week. Robertson on Monday told board members he is accepting a new job as juvenile court director, and the position has the potential to put him in a conflict of interest as a school board member. A successor to …

A Fort Wayne funeral home is turning to the Internet to allow people who can’t attend funeral services to join in from afar. D.O. McComb & Sons is offering videoconferencing of visitations and memorial services using Skype. The videoconferencing software will be used Friday so a relative in Australia can participation in a visitation being held in Fort Wayne. Co-owner …

A World War Two-era steam engine is back on track in central Michigan. The Argus-Press says a crowd cheered Wednesday night as the Pere Marquette 1225 steam locomotive’s whistle sounded to announce its arrival at the train yard in Owosso. The 200-ton steam engine was built in 1941 and retired 16 years later. It was donated to Michigan State University …

County sheriff’s deputies investigated a crash yesterday afternoon on Fawn River Road in Sturgis Township, when a car rear-ended a horse and buggy. The car was driven by 28-year-old Nicholas Conner of Sturgis. The driver of the buggy was Lavon Knepp, age 30, of Shipshewana. All three occupants of the buggy were ejected. A buggy passenger, 30-year-old Ester Knepp, sustained …

St. Joseph County District Judge Jeff Middleton has issued a statement regarding the anniversary of a grim case in Three Rivers. Middleton said Dec. 2 marks the 25-year anniversary of the homicide of Cathy Swartz. The case remains unsolved. Middleton recounted that Swartz was brutally murdered in her apartment at the Riverside Townhouses while her young daughter was in the …