News

A Cassopolis man was injured after the vehicle he was driving struck a car that had turned left in front of him last week in Cass County. Sheriff Richard Behnke said the incident occurred at the intersection of Brownsville Street and Highfield Road in Jefferson Township. Collin Dudek, 24, of Lawton, told authorities the sun was in his eyes and …

The final of the three Adopt-A-Highway programs in 2019 will take place over the next week starting Saturday. Sponsored by the Michigan Department of Transportation, Adopt-A-Highway draws volunteers to roadsides in an effort to remove litter. Volunteers collect 65,000 to 70,000 bags of trash annually. The program involves nearly 2,800 groups cleaning 6,100 miles of roadside. Motorists are advised to …

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported Tuesday an increase in cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in Southwest Michigan. EEE is a rare virus transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. As of Wednesday, there have been no confirmed human cases of EEE in St. Joseph, Branch, or Hillsdale counties. There have, however, been three confirmed …

A Three Rivers-area resident has been added to the St. Joseph County Board of Public Works. County commissioners on Tuesday approved the appointment of Robert Horton. He will complete a vacancy with a term ending at the end of the year 2020. There are currently three vacancies on the board and county officials are appealing to the public in hopes …

A Park Township resident has announced his candidacy for the State House of Representatives in next year’s election. Republican Jack Coleman made the announcement recently, stating he will be on the August 2020 primary ballot. District 59 encompasses St. Joseph and most of Cass County. Incumbent Aaron Miller is term limited and will not be able to seek re-election. Coleman, …

Less than two weeks after a ceremonial ribbon-cutting to commemorate its opening, the Rivers Enrichment Center and Residence is at capacity. County administrator Teresa Doehring announced during Tuesday’s board of commissioners meeting that all 46 residential units are no longer available. The Broadway Street location, which also serves as the new headquarters for the St. Joseph County Commission On Aging, …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating the breaking and entering of a residence last week in the 14000 block of Stears Road in Constantine Township. The residence is believed to have been broken into around 7 p.m. Friday. Three suspects fled the area in a dark green Chevy Cobalt. Meanwhile, in an unrelated case, troopers are investigating the theft of …

Amy Roth, director of Three Rivers Department of Public Services, said the Spring Street paving project is progressing on schedule and is slated to conclude in November. Roth said the project, which started in July, is a full roadway reconstruction, which includes replacement of watermain, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, roadway, and curb/gutter. She said the $1.3 million project was necessitated …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a golf cart that deputies suspect was stolen and set on fire in Lockport Township. According to a department media release, deputies responded Thursday to the 19000 block of River Road regarding an arson incident. Investigators discovered the remains of a red golf cart that looks to have been spray-painted gray. Sheriff’s …

A Decatur man died over the weekend as the result of a single-vehicle accident in Cass County’s Silver Creek Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said a car driven by 24-year-old Eduardo Mendoza was heading east on Yaw Street at 3:45 a.m. Sunday. Investigators said Mendoza apparently lost control of the vehicle and it rolled over multiple times near the intersection of …