News

The Substance Abuse Task Force of St. Joseph County is hosting a Frontline Luncheon on prescription drug abuse in St. Joseph County from noon to 1 Oct. 30 in the Dresser Business Auditorium of Glen Oaks Community College. Dr. John Robertson, of Sturgis Health and Wellness, and a representative from the Michigan State Police, will be presenting at the event. …

Three Rivers Police Chief Tom Bringman said a savvy Lockport Township resident reported a potential phone scam this week. The resident was suspicious of the ploy and wished to report the incident to prevent people from falling for the scheme. Bringman said the resident received a call from someone who indicated a new Medicare card was soon to be issued, …

A 2014 allocation for the St. Joseph County Conservation District appears to be secured, as agency supporters successfully pleaded their case to county officials Monday. The district was at risk of losing its annual $14,000 allowance after county commission members last week unveiled St. Joseph County’s proposed 2014 fiscal year budget. Monday’s appeal included nearly an hour of discussion centering …

A Florence Township family of five escaped their burning residence early Sunday. Their residence, located in the 19000 block of Haybridge Road, was reported on fire around 7 a.m. and upon arrival, firefighters observed flames coming from the two-story residence. Though officials said it appears the fire started toward the rear of the home, which is undergoing renovation, the cause …

What was expected to be a major decision by members of the Mendon Community Schools Board of Education turned out to be an opportunity to further mull a proposed millage-increase request. During its regularly scheduled monthly meeting Monday, the board learned from its attorney that the Nov. 6 date by which it would have to decide whether to authorize the …

A Sturgis man was killed in a car-pedestrian accident Sunday evening shortly after 8pm. State Police identify the victim as 22-year-old Johnny Wood. He was reportedly walking in the roadway of Bogen Road, west of South Centreville Road, when he was struck by a vehicle driven by a 60-year-old Sturgis man. Wood was reportedly clad in dark and camouflage colored …

A Traverse City man has been charged in the death of his girlfriend’s one-year old daughter. 22-year old Toren Hains was arraigned earlier this month in Kalamazoo County District Court on charges of open murder, felony murder and first-degree child abuse. Prosecutors say the charges stem from a December 30 incident while Hains was babysitting Zoie Johnston at her mother’s …

A southern Michigan sheriff says he’s discontinuing night and overnight patrols because of budget cuts put into place earlier this year. Branch County Sheriff John Pollack made the announcement at a Monday night county government meeting. In a statement, officials say Michigan State Police are expected to help provide the county with 24-hour law enforcement coverage. The sheriff’s department had …

A prosecutor has determined that three northern Indiana police officers acted properly when they fatally shot a man who ran from them and tried to shoot his way into a house. Elkhart County Prosecutor Curtis Hill says the Elkhart officers used reasonable force against 27-year-old Jamie Benavidez on Sept. 1. The Elkhart Truth reports that Hill’s findings say Benavidez ran …

More than 40 people were on hand Friday to witness the dedication and ceremonial opening of the U.S. 131 Constantine bypass. Several local residents, village, township, county and state officials joined in the ceremony at the south end of the new bridge spanning the St. Joseph River. Those in attendance witnessed a ceremony by the Constantine Free and Accepted Masons …