News

An eight-year mystery into the disappearance and presumed death of a Colon Township woman came to an end Monday in Kalamazoo County’s Fulton Township. State police said Doug Stewart agreed to lead authorities to the location where he buried his wife, Venus Stewart, in April 2010. Authorities said Stewart was released Monday to the custody of state police at the …

Centreville village residents are being asked to monitor their U.S. Postal Service mail closely, according to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department. The agency on Monday issued a press release related to complaints about mail being stolen and sometimes discarded from the mailboxes of village residents. Sheriff Brad Balk said residents should be aware of suspicious activity or unfamiliar vehicles …

Two Sturgis residents were arrested this week and charged with drug-related offenses, according to Sturgis Police. Officers conducted a traffic stop around 1 a.m. Monday near the intersection of South Lakeview Avenue and East Congress Street for a minor violation. Officers became suspicious of the driver based on his behavior while being questioned. After a search of the vehicle, a …

Pairings for the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s football playoffs were announced Sunday, and seven area teams made it to the post season. In division 4, Three Rivers will host Paw Paw in a tough matchup of Wolverine Conference opponents. The 8-1 Wildcats shut out the 7-2 Redskins in Week 5, 26-0. Meanwhile, in Division 6, Constantine gets another shot …

An Elkhart woman was injured in a single-vehicle, roll-over accident last week in Cass County’s Porter Township. Sheriff’s officials said 31-year-old Amanda Bolen was driving south shortly before 5 p.m. Thursday in the 65000 block of M-40, near the community of Jones, when her vehicle left the roadway for an unknown reason and rolled over several times. Deputies arrived to …

The local DHHS agency is seeking donations of candy or financial support to help with its annual trick-or-treat event for area foster families served by the state agency. Event organizer Jan Reed said changes in funding do not allow DHHS to use anything other than donations for such events. Potential donations can be directed to Reed at DHHS, located at …

Sheriff’s department officials are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident that took place earlier this month at a Mottville Township restaurant. The incident occurred at 1:30 a.m. Oct. 6 at Jaywalkers, on U.S. 12 in Mottville. Deputies found that an entry door had been pried open. Video surveillance showed a white male had entered the building and grabbed several items before exiting …

State police are investigating separate incidents of golf cart thefts from golf courses in Calhoun County. The first incident occurred late Monday or early Tuesday at Turtle Creek Golf Course in Burlington Township, where entry was made by cutting a fence. The suspects damaged a golf cart, stole three golf carts and golf cart chargers. Troopers said it appears the …

The St. Joseph County Grange Fair Board of Directors voted this week to dismiss Bill Johnson as fair manager, a move that was followed by Jim Barnes stepping down as president of the 15-member board of directors. The moves came during Monday’s monthly board meeting. Johnson was unavailable for comment Wednesday. Barnes declined to comment on the matter. Tom Miller, …

A 48-year-old Constantine man was arrested Tuesday after fleeing from police in Florence Township. According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff ’s Department, deputies attempted to stop a vehicle on Lutz Road near Roys Road for excessive speed. The driver, however, refused to stop and continued east on Roys Road, then through neighborhoods of Decker Road and Hills Street. Authorities …