News

Seats for the St. Joseph County Animal Control Advisory Board were appointed last week. Kristina Eaton, a Burr Oak-area resident, was elected chair while Tracy Parker, from Sturgis Bank and Trust, will serve as co-chair for the year. Parker will also serve as interim secretary. Eaton said the board has two seats open: one citizen-at-large and one marketing coordinator. She …

A Colon firefighter was injured Thursday battling a blaze at Kountry Corner Discount Store. Authorities said the owner of the Colon Township business believes a wood-burning stove caused the fire, which destroyed the building and its contents. The fire was reported just after 9 a.m. Flames were coming from the structure as first firefighters arrived, according to authorities. The business …

State Rep. Aaron Miller of Sturgis will host district office hours next week in order to meet with residents of the 59th District. Miller said next Monday’s events are a great opportunity to directly hear thoughts and questions about state government. As the district’s voice in Lansing, Miller said it is a top priority to be accessible and accountable to …

The last of three co-defendants in the November murder of Kevin Johnson in Flowerfield Township was bound over to circuit court last week. District Court Judge Jeff Middleton issued a decision Friday following nearly two days of testimony at a preliminary hearing. Theron Hunt of Dowagiac was bound over on two counts of armed robbery, one count open murder, one count …

The St. Joseph County Road Commission has received strong response to the 50/50 matching funds it has made available for township road repair, managing director John Lindsey reported to commissioners at their meeting last week. So far, $721,000 in matching funds have come in from townships interested in participating. The road commission had allocated $750,000 for its portion of the …

A Jan. 14 fire that destroyed a building and its contents at Nissley Disposal was caused by a short in a garbage truck’s battery cable. Owner Greg Nissley said one of the battery cables shorted out, causing the fire. He said the cause was identified by an insurance fire investigator. Nissley said two of the company’s three newest trucks were …

A man in charge of transportation at a southwestern Michigan school district has died while shoveling snow. Portage district officials say Mike Westbrook died Saturday from a heart attack. Superintendent Mark Bielang told families that Westbrook’s “work impacted every student who rides a bus.” He says Westbrook was “masterful” at bus logistics in the Kalamazoo-area district. More than 5,000 Portage …

State police have released the name of a Mendon truck driver who died last week on I-94 in Calhoun County. Peter Monroe, 48, died after the semi he was driving rear-ended another truck around 1 a.m. Thursday near mile marker 104 on westbound I-94. The other semi, driven by 40-year-old Rashad Dobbins of Belleville, was merging onto the highway from …

A resolution honoring a St. Joseph County veteran was approved by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners last week. In recognition of his impending 100th birthday, Richard Freeman was honored during Tuesday’s meeting. Freeman was born Feb. 17, 1919, in Detroit. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II from May 1941 to October 1945. He is …

A flatbed trailer was stolen earlier this month from a business in Sturgis. State police said the incident occurred between 5 and 5:30 a.m. Jan. 12 from the parking lot at Sturgis Overhead Door. The business is located at the corner of U.S. 12 and Broadus Street. The trailer is about 12 feet long and has a tailgate. It is …