News

Members of the Constantine Village Council recently set dates for two public hearings regarding a youth tobacco and vaping ordinance, and a youth-marijuana ordinance. The hearings will run simultaneously at 7 p.m. March 2. The proposed tobacco and vaping ordinance states a youth violator is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $50 for each …

The St. Joseph County Conservation District’s river cleanup will reach a milestone this summer. May 30 will begin the 10th season of the cleanup program. It also marks the first of five cleanups the Centreville-based agency will oversee this summer. Shaun Grace, a conservation district employee whose work includes coordinating and executing the river cleanups, said the dates for 2020 …

Two Three Rivers men were arrested on drug-related offenses over the weekend. Three Rivers officers early Sunday morning discovered a car stolen out of Fort Wayne and parked in the lot of America’s Best Value Inn. Officers set up a surveillance and eventually established a person of interest. Meanwhile, K9 Jake was called to the location and he responded in …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a breaking-and-entering incident at a location in Fabius Township. According to a department media release, deputies were called Jan. 24 to the 58000 block of Sunset Shores Court. Several items were stolen from the residence, though no further details were available from authorities. There was no sign of forced entry and the …

A burglary incident at a residence in Burr Oak remains under investigation, according to sheriff’s officials. According to a department media release, the incident occurred Jan. 13 in the 100 block of Third Street. Details about the manner in which entry was gained and the contents stolen were not available.

The board of directors at Domestic And Sexual Abuse Services announced Rose Ludwick’s departure as executive director, effective Feb. 25. Deborah Hackworth, director of advocacy services, will fill the role of interim executive director. Ludwick began her career with DASAS in 2008 as an office administrator and was named executive director in 2018. Under Ludwick’s leadership, DASAS accomplished several goals, …

A traveling Smithsonian Institution exhibit on life in rural America is on display at the Elkhart County Historical Museum in Bristol until mid-March. The exhibit includes photos depicting farms, forests, small towns and rivers from Alaska to New Hampshire, and videos of residents talking about their experiences. Museum officials have added local touches for display alongside the exhibit, including information …

Centreville Public Schools canceled weekend activities at its facilities as a precautionary measure, according to superintendent Stephanie Lemmer. Lemmer said the district was made aware by the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department of information through the “Ok2Say” tip line. The tip was interpreted as a potential threat to Centreville schools. Further investigation led authorities to conclude the source of the …

A Calhoun County man was nearly a victim of check fraud following an incident last week. State police troopers are investigating a situation in which a man answered an online ad to be a secret shopper. Authorities said the man was mailed a cashier’s check by the suspects and asked to purchase multiple eBay gift cards in $100 denominations. The …

A Colon man was was found incompetent to help in his own defense in the murder of a 55-year-old Colon man. On Jan. 28, St. Joseph County District Judge Jeff Middleton received a report from the Michigan Center for Forensic Psychiatry in Ypsilanti, and on Wednesday held a competency hearing for Ethan Dingman, 19. Dingman is accused of murder in …