News

A 30-year-old man with a last known address in Three Rivers was identified as the victim of an early morning fire Monday in Fabius Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Thomas Nipper apparently broke into a storage barn at Meyer Broadway Park in an effort to seek shelter for the night. Investigators said Nipper intentionally started a fire …

A house in the 12000 block of Dickenson Road in Mottville Township was destroyed by fire Wednesday night. Fire officials said flames and heavy smoke were coming through the roof. Nobody was home at the time of the blaze, which was reported by a neighbor around 9 p.m. Personnel from the Michigan State Police Fire Investigation Division will follow-up on …

Bill Lentz was named the Sturgis Police Department’s Officer of the Year for 2011. The award was presented during Wednesday’s Sturgis City Commission meeting. Lentz was recognized by Public Safety Director David Northrup for his dedication to the department and his job. Northrup said Lentz has undertaken major cases in 2011 that yielded prosecution, including a criminal sexual conduct incident. …

A 66-year-old White Pigeon man was killed in a two-vehicle accident Wednesday morning on U.S. 12 at Klinger Lake Road.  The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department reports that a vehicle driven by Gary Beauchamp was eastbound on U.S. 12 when it crossed the centerline and struck a westbound vehicle driven by a 91-year-old Sturgis woman.  Beauchamp was pronounced dead at …

Three Rivers Police on Tuesday apprehended a man who allegedly stole a car from the Riverside Townhouses. Police said the vehicle was found abandoned in the parking lot of a nearby convenience store. With the aid of investigators from the Michigan State Police post at White Pigeon, the man was found at an undisclosed location several blocks away from where …

Members of the Constantine Village Council are closer to approving new rates for its sewer service. A 20-percent increase for all businesses and residences in the village could be in effect once the seven-member council follows due diligence in approving the measure. On deck is a public hearing on the matter, as required by state statute. Village Manager Mark Honeysett …

A single-car crash in Lockport Township Tuesday night led to a 24-year-old Marcellus-area woman being airlifted to a Kalamazoo hospital for injuries she suffered.  The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Leslie Leer was driving north on Constantine road when she lost control of her Jeep at 10:30 p.m. near Shorewood Drive.  The Jeep struck a street sign and cable …

An English teacher at Sturgis High School has been placed on administrative leave after he was charged with possession of marijuana, a misdemeanor. Travis Neville was arrested Monday at his LaGrange County residence, according to the LaGrange County Sheriff’s Department. The department executed a search warrant at his residence and found an undisclosed quantity of marijuana. He was additionally charged …

Progress on a $15 million district-wide building upgrade project is being made in Colon Community Schools. Superintendent Lloyd Kirby said a second group of students at Colon Elementary School returned to the building Tuesday after more than six weeks of instruction in portable trailers. The relocation was necessary while the third- and fourth-grade classrooms were being overhauled to include new …

St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners on Tuesday accepted the resignation of a longtime employee in the prosecutor’s office. Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jeanette Jackson plans to retire March 30, capping a 31-year career. Prosecutor John McDonough sought and was given approval to fill Jackson’s position. McDonough indicated he plans to appoint Joshua Robare, who is expected to join the office …