News

It appears St. Joseph County’s icon since 1887 is safe. Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution Tuesday that recommends the county road commission keeps the Langley Covered Bridge open and in use within its current capacity. Road commission board members over the past few years have lamented the perpetual maintenance and associated costs of …

The program Project FRESH, which will allow people who are economically disadvantaged to purchase Michigan-grown fruits at roadside stands, is returning this summer. Through Project FRESH, mothers and children who receive WIC benefits can pick up their coupons at their local health department and use them to purchase fresh produce at participating farmer’s markets. Each qualifying participant can receive $25 …

Deputies from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident that took place last week in Fabius Township. Investigators said suspects forced entry into a trailer in the 61000 block of Youngman Road. Tools, electronics and various items of clothing were stolen. Authorities said the suspect vehicle is described as a light-colored minivan that features a loud …

A Sturgis man was arrested after he attempted to flee from police last weekend in Sturgis. Officers said the incident started shortly after 8 p.m. Saturday, when they observed a motorcycle traveling at a high rate of speed in the 700 block of East Lafayette Street. A traffic stop on the motorcycle was attempted but the driver fled. Officers pursued …

The first river cleanup of 2019 featured no major surprises, as about 60 pounds of debris was collected Saturday. Shaun Grace, director of the river cleanup program, said the first of six cleanups this summer took place over a 3.1-mile stretch of the Prairie River, from Findlay Road in Nottawa Township to Lake Templene. It attracted 11 volunteers. Grace said …

This week’s plans by the Michigan Department of Transportation regarding the U.S. 131 reconstruction project in Three Rivers includes a few tasks that were postponed due to rain last week. Single-lane closures on both directions of the highway will result in the continuation of median curb islands and pavement widenings. Also, workers will continue utility work on outside shoulders throughout …

A construction worker died last week in Cass County after he was electrocuted while on a job site. Sheriff Richard Behnke said the incident occurred at 11:35 p.m. Friday in the 2700 block of White Street in Howard Township. Behnke said emergency personnel were called to an AEP substation under construction in that area. Upon arrival, authorities found that Steven …

Twenty-three villages and cities with populations less than 10,000 will receive grants through a second round of funding awarded through the Michigan Department of Transportation’s Community Service Infrastructure Fund program. Established by the state Legislature in December 2018, the CSIF is a stop-gap program to help fund road projects in small communities. Successful projects were selected, in part, because they …

Alcohol and/or drugs may have played a role in a single-vehicle accident last week in Burr Oak Township, according to authorities. State police troopers were called at 11 p.m. Friday to U.S. 12 near St. Joe Road, where a car driven by a 23-year-old Howe woman was involved in an accident. Authorities said the vehicle was being driven eastbound when …

An Illinois woman was injured after the vehicle she was driving was involved in an accident in Cass County’s Volinia Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said the incident occurred at 1 a.m. Sunday on Marcellus Highway near Decatur Road. Investigators said a vehicle driven by 46-year-old Tammy Vrbancic, of Hickory Hills, Ill., was heading east on Marcellus Road when it ran off the road, …