News

State Rep. Matt Lori this week was awarded the “Champion of Hope” award by the Michigan Association of Substance Abuse Coordinating Agencies. The award recognizes Lori’s extraordinary leadership in bringing substance abuse prevention, treatment and recovery issues to the attention of legislatures. Lori, a Constantine-area resident, said he is committed to working as a member of the House to not …

Here’s a reminder that the St. Joseph County Conservation District is planning its last river cleanup of the season Saturday. A stretch of the Portage River in Mendon and Park townships will be the focus of the agency’s eighth cleanup event this summer. Cleanup efforts will focus on a stretch of the Portage River in Mendon and Park townships. The …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department was called Wednesday to investigate the break-in to and vandalism of a pole barn in Burr Oak Township. According to a department media release, the building – located in the 33000 block of Deer Park Road – was entered. Windows were damaged by BBs from a pellet gun and thrown rocks, investigators said, further …

Police have released the identity of the man who died following an explosion at his home on Monday. 30-year-old David Loach died at Bronson Methodist Hospital, after he was severely injured in his garage at 109 South Andrews Street. Three Rivers Police say the explosion was caused by a chemical reaction during the production of methamphetamine. Law-enforcement is continuing their …

Discussions regarding budget requests from various county departments started Tuesday, when members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners staged the first of what could be a number of workshops related to the county’s 2013 fiscal-year budget. The three-hour special session featured a thorough review of requests from various departments. Though no concrete decisions were made, recommendations were tentatively …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the larceny of an irrigation traveler from a field in Leonidas Township. According to a department news release, the Heinzman traveler and 660 feet of blue hose were stolen from a field on Blossom Road, west of Shannon Road. The incident occurred last week, sometime between Monday and Friday.

A Sturgis resident in his mid-20s was arrested after he was found operating a methamphetamine lab out of his vehicle earlier this week. According to the Sturgis Police Department, the man was identified as a possible suspect in a retail-theft incident around 7 p.m. Tuesday at a business in the 800 block of South Centerville Road. During a follow-up investigation, …

Bridge-repair work at two different locations in Three Rivers started Wednesday and will conclude at the end of October. According to the Michigan Department of Transportation, there will be single-lane closures on Michigan Avenue between Spring Street and M-86 through Oct. 31. Meanwhile, MDOT said over the same time period there will be single-lane closures on U.S. 131 between West …

A 30-year-old Three Rivers man who was injured in an explosion Monday afternoon has died, according to the Three Rivers Police Department. The victim was hurt in a garage at a residence in the 100 block of South Andrews Street, where a chemical reaction during the production of methamphetamine resulted in an explosion, police said. The victim was airlifted to …

Sturgis Police arrested two men early Tuesday for their alleged involvement in the theft of cigarettes from a gas station in LaGrange County. According to a media release, the two were stopped at an unspecified location in the city and the 33-year-old driver was found to have a suspended license. Consent was given to search the vehicle and officers uncovered …