News

State police are conducting an investigation into the death of a 38-year-old Coldwater man. Authorities were notified around 12:30 a.m. Sunday that a man in Branch County’s Ovid Township was unconscious following an assault involving a 40-year-old Coldwater man. CPR was administered by troopers but their efforts were not enough to revive the victim. Toxicology tests and an autopsy are …

Two Marcellus residents were injured after the motorcycle they were on was involved in an accident last week in Cass County’s Newberg Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were advised at 5 p.m. Saturday that a motorcycle went off the roadway on Dutch Settlement Road near Skyhawk Drive. The driver, 37-year-old Ryan Hampton, told authorities he was heading west and …

A citizen-led initiative could see voters in Three Rivers and Lockport Township deciding the fate of a 77-acre property contested by the two entities. A petition was filed Wednesday with St. Joseph County Clerk Lindsay Oswald. Thirty-five pages in all, the petition seeks to have voters in the two municipalities decide whether the land should remain in Three Rivers or …

A petition to recall the president of Constantine Public Schools Board of Education was submitted Wednesday. St. Joseph County Clerk Lindsay Oswald said the petition seeks the recall of John Shuler. Details about who filed the petition were not clear. According to the petition, its origin stems from a May 7 school board work session at Constantine High School. The …

A Dowagiac man was injured after he apparently fell asleep while driving this week in Cass County’s Pokagen Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly before 4 p.m. Wednesday to Hampshire Road, west of Wilbur Hill Road,in response to a single-vehicle crash. Investigators found a Ford F-150 driven by 26-year-old Patrick Allen went off the roadway and struck …

The state senate this week unanimously approved state Rep. Aaron Miller’s plan to eliminate burdensome requirements to educators, giving new teachers more time to work with students in the classroom. New teachers are issued a standard teaching certificate with a professional certificate available after three years classroom experience, over 150 hours of professional development and additional post-graduate coursework. New instructors …

A Berrien County judge has settled a legal matter between St. Joseph County and the city of Three Rivers. County officials confirmed late Tuesday afternoon that Judge John Donahue concluded Three Rivers did not breach terms of its contract with the county. The issue stems from the county’s attempt to recoup $755,000 it advanced the city to purchase the 77-acre …

Nearly 50 people gathered Tuesday at the east end of the proposed development of a multi-field sports complex to witness a ceremonial groundbreaking. Located between North Main Street to the west and Buckhorn Road to the east, the 77-acre property was annexed into Three Rivers over the objections of Lockport Township officials and opponents of the concept. Kim Losik, a …

The creation of a master plan for the so-called courts building at the St. Joseph County Courthouse appears to be resurrected. During Tuesday’s county commission meeting, board members agreed to resume its relationship with TowerPinkster Architects and Engineers of Kalamazoo regarding the preparation of a master plan for the building at the south end of the courthouse complex. The county …

Two people died earlier this week in an automobile accident in Cass County’s Pokagon Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said a PT Cruiser driven by 34-year-old Mishawaka resident Lee Ann Romita Sanez was heading south on M-51 Sunday when it crossed the center line and struck a northbound Chevy Impala. It was being driven by Phillip Seitenstich, 32, of Dowagiac. David …