News

Federal officials expect their investigation into a southwestern Michigan train derailment that injured about a dozen people to take six months to a year.  National Transportation Safety Board railroad investigator Michael Flanigon spoke Monday at a news conference in nearby South Bend.  There are measurements to take, interviews to conduct and electronic data that needs to be analyzed before a …

St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners last week renewed its snow-removal and plowing contract with Scott Adams, of Centreville-based Adams Excavating Inc. The contract calls for the service when a significant amount of snow falls and must be cleared before the start of the workday at the county courthouse, the county annex building, and the county sheriff’s department and adjoining …

Four county firefighters from three different agencies were recognized during a ceremony in Colon last week. The St. Joseph County Fireman’s Association honored Burr Oak firefighter Charles Ankney and Centreville firefighter Roger Rumsey and their 51 years of service. Recognized for 54 years of firefighter service for the Mendon Fire Department were Sharon “Bookie” Buchner and Loyd Hart. State Rep. …

A Sturgis man was charged with domestic assault following an incident at 3 a.m. Friday in the 1300 block of Cato Lane. Upon arriving at the scene, police noticed a woman holding her child outside their residence. The name and age of the suspect was not provided in a media release. He was taken to the St. Joseph County Jail.

Sheriff’s Deputies in Kalamazoo County are trying to get a fourth suspect in a triple shooting last spring to turn himself in.  An arrest warrant on attempted murder and armed robbery charges has been issued for Tyshaun Robinson in the April 11th shooting at the Concord Place Apartments in Oshtemo Township.  Detectives say they have talked to Robinson on the …

Branch County authorities late Thursday afternoon located a 10-year-old Coldwater-area boy who had been reported missing since earlier in the day. Limited details were available about the discovery of Chance Miller, who authorities described as having diminished capacity. Officials did note, however, that he is safe. He was reported missing after leaving his bus stop at 7:30 a.m. near Miller …

A 20-year veteran with the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department was promoted to detective sergeant, a position that will put him at the head of a beefed-up, drug-investigation unit. Burr Oak resident Lonnie Palmer was promoted from the position of detective, according to Undersheriff Mark Lillywhite. Palmer’s focus will shift to the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit, which was …

The St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit arrested three people on methamphetamine-related charges Tuesday night in Three Rivers. Acting on a tip, investigators raided a house in the 400 block of North Main Street and arrested two men and one woman for possession of methamphetamine. Two of the three face additional charges of operating a meth lab and maintaining a …

Winners of the annual Scarecrow Fest, staged during Sunday’s Three Rivers Fall Color Tour, were announced this week by the St. Joseph County Parks and Recreation Department. A lower-than-usual number of entries took part in the event at Meyer Broadway Park, where nearly 150 votes were cast. Overall winner was Centreville’s Larry Brueck, who also claimed an award for scariest …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has set a time and date for a work session next week. Commissioners will meet at 4 p.m. Thursday at the county courthouse to discuss two matters. Chairman Rick Shaffer said time will be taken to discuss the impending vacancy of the county administrator’s position. Current administrator Judy West-Wing plans to retire in …