News

St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners had occasion last week to meet and welcome Judie Ratering, the county’s new finance director. During the commission’s twice-a-month meeting last week, Ratering introduced herself and said despite being on the job just two days at the time, she expressed confidence in her ability to uphold the duties of her office.

Authorities in southwestern Michigan say a fire broke out in a 10,000-square-foot barn housing about 60 dairy cattle, killing about 20 of them and taking dozens of firefighters hours to extinguish.  Buchanan Township fire Captain Steve Mullen said the fire was reported about 10:50 a.m. Wednesday at the farm, which is in Berrien County.  Mullen says the fire appears to be …

The Mendon Downtown Development Authority is hoping it can find a buyer for the Wakeman House, believed to be the oldest building in the village. The DDA recently completed the purchase of the one-time hotel for $170,000 after it was foreclosed. The purchase price includes all contents. Operated most recently as the Mendon Country Inn bed and breakfast, the 10-bedroom …

Area fire departments are urging residents to exercise caution with alternative sources of heat. The warning comes as three fires in the past two weeks, including two last weekend, are believed to have started from alternative heat sources. The most recent fire was reported Sunday night at a residence in the 10600 block of Hayman Road in Fabius Township. A …

A husband-and-wife team has been approved to occupy a historic house on the grounds of a popular county park. The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners last week reached an agreement with Dave Ludders and Caitlin Haring to live in the Dolly Reed House at Rawson’s King Mill Park. In lieu of paying rent, the couple will be responsible for …

Sturgis Police on Monday said the man responsible for carjacking a vehicle from a 59-year-old woman outside Walmart last month was taken into custody in Arkansas. Tyronza Miller, 37, was arrested by U.S. Marshals Monday at a residence in Arkansas, where he previously lived. Police said they believe Miller returned to his native Flint after the late-night incident outside Sturgis …

Three Rivers Health Chief Executive Officer William Russell has announced the addition of Hospital Physician Partners, a new emergency-services partner to staff and manage the hospital’s emergency department. Hospital Physician Partners currently works with more than 100 hospitals across the country. Russell said the partnership is a good fit for Three Rivers Health and the community. Hospital Physician Partners is …

Organizers of a benefit dance in Burr Oak over the weekend are calling the fundraiser a success, as more than 60 people attended Saturday’s event. Committee members for the Burr Oak Heritage Festival staged the dance. Proceeds will cover the fourth annual community celebration in St. Joseph County’s smallest community. The 2012 Burr Oak Heritage Festival is slated to take …

Three of six people involved in a single-vehicle accident Sunday on M-60 in Leonidas Township were treated for minor injuries. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Donald Korff II, 40, of Marcellus, was traveling east on M-60 when his van hit an icy patch in the roadway near Jacksonburg Road. The van spun out and crashed into a tree. …

A Sturgis-area resident who played a part in the arson that destroyed Welch’s Steak and Ribs three years ago was sentenced last week to two years in federal prison. Following proceedings at U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids, Jason Lumbard was sentenced Friday. The 29-year-old Howe, Ind., resident, who had close ties to Sturgis, was arrested, tried and convicted after …