News

The St. Joseph County United Way is appealing to the public in an effort to raise funds for a pair of flood victims. Executive director Kelly Hostetler said one house needs a new furnace. The owner, an elderly woman, was taken to the hospital recently for treatment from carbon monoxide poisoning. Her basement has six inches of standing water and …

The Cass County Sheriff’s Department investigated a single-vehicle rollover incident that occurred this week in Newberg Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said 29-year-old Duquawn Edwards, of Goshen, was driving around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday on M-40 near Hoffman Road. Edwards told deputies he fell asleep and his vehicle rolled several times before coming to rest on the other side of the road, …

St. Joseph County Commission on Aging’s advisory board has agreed to name the new Three Rivers senior center/ housing project. It also voted to rename the Sturgis Enrichment Center. During last week’s COA meeting, the board chose “Rivers Enrichment Center and Residence” as the name for the new Three Rivers site. Meanwhile, “Oaks Enrichment Center” is the new name for …

A northern Indiana police officer who shot and critically wounded a man reportedly opened fire after the man hit and scratched his face. Police records identify the South Bend officer as Samuel Chaput and the wounded man as 27-year-old Terrance Eppenger of South Bend. The St. Joseph County Metro Homicide Unit says officers were called to the scene Tuesday evening …

The commuter rail line that links northern Indiana and Chicago is planning a ticket price increase to help pay for operating a new train safety system. Officials say the proposed 5 percent increase would raise the one-way fare to Chicago from stations in Hammond east to Michigan City by 50 cents effective July 1. Fares for stops east of Michigan …

A Sturgis Township juvenile is suspected of stealing a lawn mower earlier this week. State police said a riding mower was stolen between 3 and 6 p.m. Monday from the vicinity of Balk Road and U.S. 12 in Sturgis Township. A woman notified central dispatch around 6 p.m. to advise authorities her son was in possession of the mower believed …

An Edwardsburg woman was injured after the car she was driving went off the roadway and struck a tree in Cass County’s Porter Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were notified at 11:55 a.m. Monday that a personal-injury crash had occurred on Shavehead Lake Road near M-40. Upon further investigation, authorities discovered 57-year-old Karen Pierucki, was driving westbound when the …

Glen Oaks Community College has announced the cancellation of its 2018 softball season. Low numbers and an abundance of injuries have decimated the roster, making it impossible to finish out the league season, according to athletic director Courtney Ivan. She said the Vikings did show signs of success during their nine-game spring trip in Florida. Ivan said the health and …

Portage officials are considering property tax breaks for a $465 million expansion project by Pfizer Inc. The company is seeking the tax exemption from the city of Portage a two-story, 400,000-square-foot sterile processing facility. MLive.com reports Pfizer has told the city the project will lead to 140 additional jobs within two years and 450 jobs within six years. Portage Mayor Patricia Randall …

Three Rivers Health has announced that Anne Pearcy is its employee of the year for 2017. During its recent employee celebration, Three Rivers Health welcomed nearly 200 guests for dinner and the special-recognition ceremony honoring employees observing milestone years of service. Pearcy said she considered the accolade shocking and a huge honor. Out of 20 employees earning quarterly honors throughout …