News

An order prohibiting business-related use or occupation of a condemned property in White Pigeon was issued by a St. Joseph County judge last week. During a show-cause hearing June 29, District Court Judge Jeff Middleton said the order means that except under special circumstances, nobody is allowed in the building that formerly housed the Tasty Nut Shop and Silver Spoons …

New coronavirus cases leaped in Michigan in the week ending Sunday, rising 34 percent, as more than 14,000 cases were reported. The previous week had more than 10,600 new cases of the virus that causes COVID-19. St. Joseph County reported 59 cases and zero deaths in the latest week. A week earlier, it had reported 37 cases and one death. …

A Burr Oak man was sentenced to at least 25 years in prison after being found guilty on 10 counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. Demetrius Ivory, 45, could serve up to 45 years after a St. Joseph County Circuit Court jury returned guilty verdicts on 10 counts related to three victims. The incidents occurred between September and November 2018 …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident that occurred last month in White Pigeon Township. Investigators responded to the 20000 block of Fawn River Road, where the incident took place between June 24 and 11 a.m. Saturday. Suspects appeared to use a crowbar to force entry into a side door of an unoccupied residence. They stole several articles …

The father of the jet engine-powered semitruck driver who died during a performance at a southwestern Michigan air show said Tuesday that the truck burst into flames after a blown tire ruptured the fuel tank. Chris Darnell, 40, died in the accident Saturday that happened during a race between the Shockwave Jet Truck and two airplanes at the Battle Creek …

Sturgis City Commission members voted last week to approve a $645,000 loan for Sturgis Hospital. The allocation is intended to keep the hospital’s doors open just long enough for potential, special funding from the state to be considered. An $11 million allocation from the state for Sturgis Hospital came to the attention of the Sturgis City Commission and hospital officials, …

Cass County sheriff’s deputies responded to a water rescue last week. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies responded shortly before at 11 a.m. last Tuesday to Diamond Lake in Penn Township. Investigators said South Bend resident Bruce McCartney, 74, was operating a 16-foot Lund boat on the south end of Diamond Lake near Diamond Island’s ferry. Authorities said the boat he …

Michigan State Police troopers responded to a littering/dumping complaint last week in Branch County’s Union Township. According to a department media release, troopers were called late in the night Thursday to the 200 block of Lindley Road near Braucker Road in Union Township. Witnesses observed an unknown passenger car speeding from the area after hearing what was later confirmed to …

Michigan State Police Southwest Enforcement Team executed a search warrant last week in Three Rivers, resulting in the arrests of nine people. SWET members converged Friday outside a residence in the 800 block of 8th Street. Once inside, detectives located methamphetamine, heroin and a weapon. The nine people arrested face a variety of charges and a number of outstanding warrants. …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident from a location in Branch County’s Batavia Township. Authorities responded to the 300 block of West Chicago Street and were told the incident occurred between 6 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. June 27. It is unknown, however, if the suspects stole items from the building. Troopers said there have been multiple breaking-and-entering …