News

An Indiana man suffered minor injuries Wednesday after wiping out on his motorcycle to avoid hitting a deer in the roadway. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said 24-year-old Shane Richardson was slightly hurt as a result of the 11:45 a.m. incident in Florence Township. Deputies said Richardson was driving west on Featherstone Road when he managed to keep from …

The Sturgis Area Community Foundation said the exact amount raised during its recent Match Day was $227,167. The June 20 Match Day event was staged as a 50-year celebration of the creation of the foundation. Mary Dresser, co-director of the foundation, said more than 800 community members donated to 65 funds under the foundation’s umbrella. Dresser said the Foundation’s match …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department handled a fatal pedestrian traffic accident which occurred last night shortly before 10pm on US-12 near Plumb School Road in Fawn River Township. The victim was identified as 51-year-old Roy Hankins. He was reportedly walking along US-12 and wandered into traffic, when he was struck by a westbound vehicle driven by a Bronson man. …

Constantine Fire Chief Mike Hayden has issued a media release centering on burn permits and the dry conditions. He said the department has temporarily suspended issuing burn permits to residents in Constantine and Florence townships until an adequate amount of rainfall is recorded. Hayden suggested residents in other townships check with their fire officials to verify whether they, too, have …

St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough has leveled a charge of assault with intent to murder against a 53-year-old Florence Township man. McDonough on Tuesday said the charge against Bruce Tullos was warranted considering the extent and severity of injuries he inflicted upon the female victim. No weapon was used in the attack, investigators concluded. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners recently approved appointments to the Commission on Aging Board, including a trio who will replace three incumbents not reappointed. The seats of J.D. Yoder, Polly Oliver and board chair Lorrie Witt were awarded to other people even though the three indicated they had no plans to step down. They will be replaced by …

Three Rivers city officials said they expect Scidmore Park playground to reopen this weekend after a five-day undertaking to improve the playground surface. Assistant Engineer Merritt Brown said the task involved removing the entire covering of wood chips and replacing the surface area with crumb rubber. Work started Monday and has involved a number of volunteers. Brown said Jamie Clark, …

Authorities say a 38-year-old woman was critically injured with extensive burns after leaning over a firework she lit in southwestern Michigan.  Kalamazoo police say the woman was setting off fireworks late Wednesday at her home with her husband. She was hospitalized with second- and third-degree burns to her face, hands, arms and torso.  Lt. Stan McDonald said investigators believe the firework …

A 53-year-old Florence Township man is in jail on suspected assault charges following an alleged incident with his wife early Monday. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Bruce Tullos, was arrested after his wife was found beaten around 4 a.m. alongside Roys Road, east of Sevison Road. The victim was airlifted to a Kalamazoo hospital and listed in critical …

Officials from Indiana Michigan Power said they expect to conclude annual maintenance at its Constantine hydroelectric facility at some point today. The reservoir level was lowered by one foot earlier this week but is expected to be fully restored by the end of the day. Its normal operating level is 783 feet above sea level.