News

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, …

State police are investigating the theft of firearms from three different St. Joseph County locations over the last month. Troopers said shotguns, rifles and handguns were stolen between May 18 and Saturday from residences in the 50000 block of Hutchinson Road in Park Township, the 50000 block of James Drive in Lockport Township and the 13000 block of Millers Mill …

A Dowagiac woman involved in a fatal shooting last year in Flowerfield Township has been sentenced to prison. Kayla Lynn Cheney, 25, was sentenced to a term of between 25 and 75 years for her role in the shooting death of Kevin Johnson on Nov. 18. She was sentenced last week by circuit court judge Paul Stutesman after pleading guilty …

The St. Joseph County Intermediate School District is hosting a career fair later this week. From 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, the ISD will host each of St. Joseph County’s nine school districts at its Shimmel Road location. Details about several career positions will be available, including substitute teaching and bus driving. On-site interviews will take place with participating school …

Two blocks on North Prospect Street in Sturgis were evacuated Thursday following a gas leak. A gas line broke near North Prospect and Ulm streets. Crew members cleaning a storm drain inadvertently caused the break. Around 3 p.m., firefighters evacuated about 13 homes in the 400 and 500 blocks of North Prospect. Authorities said residents were allowed back in the …

Centreville Public Schools Board of Education has approved its 2019-20 general fund budget. Passed by the board of education Tuesday, the budget calls for revenue of $8.5 million and expenditures of $8.3 million, adding more than $135,000 to the fund balance. The district budgeted conservatively, assuming a student count of 836, down from 855 this year, and a per-pupil funding increase …

The Sturgis Township Board recently agreed to contribute toward the purchase of protective vests for its zoning administrator, Randy Schmeling, and its zoning enforcement officer, Joe Wickey. Sturgis Township’s approximate cost is $533. Money will come from permit fees that have been received from the building department. Outfitting Schmeling and Wickey with the vests allows them to have the same …

With White Pigeon Township putting $10,000 toward new asphalt on Jackson and Spring streets near Klinger Lake, the St. Joseph County Road Commission is up to $981,000 in its program through which it provides 50/50 matches for township contributions to road work. All 16 townships are participating this year. Through this effort, nearly $1.9 million will be spent on the …

Constantine police are investigating break-ins that occurred in buildings occupied by items owned by Constantine Little League. Evidence of the incidents was found Tuesday, in the 200 block of Meadow Lane. Authorities said the buildings were ransacked and various items were stolen, including sports equipment, office equipment, food and money. Police recovered evidence at the scene and investigators said several …

A Berrien County man was injured in a motorcycle accident earlier this week in Cass County’s Wayne Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called around 1 p.m. Monday to Marcellus Highway and Decatur Road. Upon further investigation, deputies found that Ryan Pesce, 49, had been driving west on Marcellus Highway when he failed to negotiate a curve and his …