News

A White Pigeon woman and her children were injured in a two-vehicle accident this week in Cass County’s Porter Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies responded at 2:20 p.m. Tuesday to U.S. 12, east of South River Road, regarding an accident. It was determined that a vehicle driven by Brandi Bambrick, 35, of White Pigeon, was westbound on U.S. 12 …

The Sturgis Electric Department is considering replacing a 12-kilovolt hydro transmission line with a 69-kilovolt rural transmission line. The proposed line would run about six miles from a potential rural substation on Balk Road, south to Featherstone Road, east to North Centerville Road and parallel to the current system south of Schrader Road until approximately West Lafayette Street, where it …

A southwestern Michigan man whom authorities say fled police and crashed into a car, killing two people, faces five charges including two counts each of operating while intoxicated causing death and fleeing an officer. A judge set bond at $500,000 for Thomas William Vyverman of Kalamazoo during his arraignment Thursday. Vyverman also is charged with resisting and obstructing. Kalamazoo police …

The case of a lawsuit against St. Joseph County, its board of commissioners, and the panel that oversees mental-health and drug-abuse services locally will be heard in a nearby jurisdiction. Attorney Ross Chapman, representing Liz O’Dell, said St. Joseph County Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman recused himself from the case. As a result, the matter was assigned by the state …

The St. Joseph County Commission on Aging is sponsoring two Easter Egg Hunts for area school children. The agency’s seniors donated candy and helped stuff more than 1,500 eggs between the senior centers in Three Rivers and Sturgis. In Sturgis, the hunt will take place at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday next week at the Sturgis Enrichment Center. More than 100 students from …

Two people were injured following a collision this week in Cass County’s Jefferson Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday to the intersection of M-62 and Hospital Street. Investigators found 18-year-old Brittany Backus of Edwardsburg was driving west on Brownsville Road, when she stopped at the intersection of M-62 then proceeded east onto Hospital Road. …

State Rep. Aaron Miller has announced his monthly, in-district office hours. All three locations are next week in St. Joseph County. Miller said he enjoys connecting with the people in his district and hearing what matters to them. He said it is important to be accessible to every constituent. Office hours will be 6 to 7:30 a.m. Tuesday at Yoder’s …

Michigan motorists would have to allow 3 feet of clearance while passing a bike on the road unless it is “impracticable” under legislation approved Wednesday by the state House, which also voted to require teen drivers to learn about laws pertaining to cyclists and other vulnerable roadway users. Michigan is among 11 states with no “safe passing” law, and bicyclists …

Three Rivers Police K-9 Jake was instrumental in apprehending a man who left Menard’s after displaying a handgun to a store employee. According to a department media release, the incident occurred around 11 a.m. Monday, when a man who was being confronted about a retail theft incident displayed a handgun to store security before fleeing the scene on foot. He …

State police are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident that occurred this week in Constantine Township. Troopers were called Tuesday to the 63000 block of Constantine Road after the homeowner reported the break-in, which occurred between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. Home electronics were stolen, investigators said. Details regarding how access to the residence was gained was not indicated in a department …