News

A nitrogen fertilizer spill in Florence Township Wednesday afternoon resulted in the leakage of 90 gallons of fertilizer. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said the incident occurred on Engle Road, just north of Featherstone Road. Officials said a tank was being pulled by a tractor when a weld broke. A level-gauge device snapped off when the tank dropped to …

The Sturgis Area Community Foundation raised more than $200,000 during its Match Day event Wednesday. The fundraiser took place in conjunction with the foundation’s 50-year anniversary in 2012. More than 700 individuals and businesses from throughout the county made donations during the one-day event, capped with a celebration at the Doyle Community Center in Sturgis. Mary Dresser, director of the …

Saturday’s second day of the annual Centreville Covered Bridge Days will have plenty to offer, including food, attractions and music. Activities get started Saturday with the classic car show beginning at 8 a.m., a cake walk, bounce house, dunk tank and plenty of food will also be a part of the festival Saturday. Spike and he Bulldogs will take the …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is appealing to the public for help regarding the theft of copper wire from an irrigation system. Shortly after noon on June 9, deputies were called to a field at Strawser and Dickenson Roads in White Pigeon Township regarding larceny of irrigation center-pivot-span cables. Investigators said two, 120-foot-span cables from the pivot were stolen.

A grass fire Wednesday in Sturgis Township burned more than five acres of a field along Stubey Road. Officials from the Tri-Township Fire Department said it appears embers from a burning barrel triggered the fire. There were no injuries reported. Fire chiefs across the county are asking for a ban on outdoor burning at least until a measurable rainfall hits …

The former Dawn Patrol fly-in event at Kirsch Municipal Airport in Sturgis is being replaced with the inaugural Lunch Patrol. The new event will run 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday and pilots from all over Michigan are expected to be on hand. Sponsored by the Sturgis Kiwanis, the lunch is not limited exclusively to pilots. Airplane and helicopter rides …

A part-time deputy from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department will patrol Cade Lake Park over the course of five days next month. The decision comes after members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved Parks and Recreation Department Director John Pence to use money from the Cade Lake fund to cover expenses related to patrol. …

A pay raise was granted Tuesday to St. Joseph County Drain Commissioner Jeff Wenzel. Commissioners had previously authorized Wenzel’s job be expanded from 28 to 40 hours, but no action was taken regarding his $33,000-a-year salary. After reviewing the matter Friday at their executive committee meeting, commissioners without comment Tuesday agreed to up Wenzel’s annual pay to $47,500. The amendment …

The Michigan Department of Transportation announced a three-day road project in Constantine that will result in lane closures. MDOT officials said single-lane closures on U.S. 131 at the St. Joseph River bridge started Tuesday and are expected to remain in place through 5 p.m. Thursday. A team of MDOT officials will be involved in bridge repairs, according to an agency …

James Baker, manager of the Three Rives Clean Water Plant, said employees discovered a foam-over from one of the treated biosolids tanks early Saturday. Baker said crews reacted immediately and deployed drain blockers to prevent discharge into storm sewers. An estimated 38 gallons entered into the storm sewer and more than 2,700 gallons spilled around the west side of the …