News

Officials from Enbridge, the company installing a pipeline across the southern end of the state, said they plan to complete pressure testing a portion of the new line within the next week. A 33-mile portion of the pipeline, from Mendon west to Niles, has been subject to pressure testing to ensure the integrity of the infrastructure. Eventually, the pipeline will …

St. Joseph County animal control director Tom Miller said the department saw a revenue increase from 2011 to 2012. In addition, Miller said fewer dogs were euthanized in 2012 compared to 2011. Miller addressed the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioner Tuesday, presenting to the five-member panel his annual report. The department euthanized 111 dogs last year, 77 fewer than …

A Florence Township official will have to look for an alternative source of financial help to address a crumbling roadway in his jurisdiction, as he was turned down for assistance by county officials Tuesday. For the second time in two months, Florence Township Supervisor Gordon Evilsizor asked the commission for consideration to help replace Constantine Road from Dickinson north to …

Officials from the St. Joseph County Conservation Club have announced its Sherman Township headquarters will be a drop-off site for a Michigan United Conservation Club program through deer season. The club is participating in “Defend the Hunt,” a program that allows hunters to donate deer hides that will be processed and sold, with proceeds going to defend hunting rights in …

The Sturgis Toy Run is providing an opportunity to make Christmas a brighter holiday for area children. Through Friday, the organization’s Sherman Township-based headquarters will be manned 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. to accept toys and non-perishable food that will be distributed in coming weeks to families in need. Pat Linnan, president of the Sturgis Toy Run Inc., said officials …

A millage-increase request before voters in the Mendon Community Schools district is one step closer to reality. By unanimous vote Monday, board of education members approved a preliminary qualification application to the Michigan Department of Treasury. The action means the district is in the process of seeking approval from the state agency to issue state-qualified bonds. The district’s bond attorney, …

A chimney fire is being cited as the source of a blaze that destroyed a house in Mendon Township last week. Investigators said the conclusion was made after a closer look into the situation and its origin. The fire, which was reported at 11:30 a.m. Friday, destroyed a residence in the 53500 block of Nottawa Road. One occupant inside the …

The Sunday storms that swept across the Lower Peninsula Sunday have claimed at least two lives. A 21-year-old Ingham County man died when a tree fell while he was driving. Investigators say the tree either fell in front of, or onto his car in Ingham County. The victim, Ryan Ellen Rickman of Leslie, was driving northbound when the heavy winds …

Authorities say an 83-year-old woman has died in a fire at her Kalamazoo-area home. MLive.com reports that Kalamazoo County Undersheriff Pali Matyas says she’s believed to be the owner of the house in Galesburg. Her name wasn’t immediately released. Charleston-Galesburg assistant fire Chief Joe Coleman says authorities got a call about 4:15 a.m. Monday and says two other departments helped …

The Big Lots store in Three Rivers will be closing shortly after the new year. Company officials said the retailer, at 1326 Broadway Street, will close Jan. 15, about a month after it begins its going-out-of-business sale. The seller of closeout and surplus merchandise moved to its current spot in 2005 from North Main Street in Three Rivers. It is …