News

A vehicle reported stolen was found intentionally set on fire in Lockport Township. Michigan State Police troopers responded recently to an area on Hoshel Road, near Strobel Road, in response to a burning vehicle. Authorities said a silver Dodge Journey was destroyed by the blaze. The owner of the vehicle told authorities it had been stolen. No additional information was …

Members of the Colon Area Chamber of Commerce are moving forward with plans to celebrate the Fourth of July. During their monthly meeting Thursday, members of the chamber board agreed to place donation jars throughout the village, as contributions will help offset the expense of hired attractions to be featured in the village’s Independence Day parade. Board members said Michigan …

Speed and alcohol are believed to be factors in a single-vehicle accident that seriously injured a Three Rivers man last week in Flowerfield Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies were called around 11 a.m. Friday to Johnson Road, near Pulver Road, in response to a vehicle that had gone off the roadway. Lillywhite said the car was traveling southbound on …

People in Michigan who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 don’t need to wear a mask any longer, and people who aren’t vaccinated don’t have to wear one outdoors, officials said Friday, noting that the state’s indoor mask requirement will expire in July. The announcement from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the state health department came a day after the Centers for …

St. Joseph County commissioners were asked Wednesday to consider the purchase of a video and recording system for animal control officer Greg Musser and his work truck. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman, addressing commissioners during their executive committee meeting, said the $8,900 mobile/video recording system will audio record Musser as well as video record from a dash-mounted camera. The system, Bingaman said, …

The former director of Sturgis Department of Public Safety was sentenced this week from a DUI charge last year. Geoffrey Smith was placed on one year probation and is required to use an alcohol-monitor for 90 days. His arrest for driving under the influence occurred Aug. 15. Smith was sentenced Wednesday via Zoom by Calhoun County District Court Judge Paul Beardslee. …

St. Joseph County commissioners appear in favor of recommending an exception to the hiring freeze, as the sheriff’s department is seeking a typist/clerk. The position became open when Jennifer Meyer was recently promoted to administrative assistant. Its pay is about $57,000 a year, including benefits. The matter was discussed during Wednesday’s executive committee meeting. Meanwhile, another exception to the hiring …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has begun vaccinating children ages 12-15 years old with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Appointments are encouraged but walk-ins are taken at our ongoing vaccination clinics in the tri-county area. Appointments can be made at www.bhsj.org/scheduling. Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are also available for individuals 18 years of age and older. All individuals …

State Sen. Kim LaSata welcomed her March is Reading Month literacy challenge winner Aaleyah Tomorrow to the Capitol on Thursday to serve alongside her as junior senator for the day. “It was great to have Aaleyah and her family join me at the Capitol today and to have her serve alongside me as a junior senator,” said LaSata, R-Coloma. “It was an …

A medical condition may have caused a single-vehicle crash that claimed the life of a Portage man Tuesday in Park Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies were called around 1:30 p.m. to the 52000 block of Parkville Road, between Michigan Avenue and Marcellus Road. Investigators said a northbound delivery vehicle had gone off the west side of the roadway. It …