News

The Cass County Sheriff’s Department this week investigated a home explosion in Milton Township, where one person was injured. Police responded to the 33000 block of Bertrand Street around 6 p.m. Tuesday after neighbors reported hearing what sounded like two explosions. Shortly thereafter, the house caught fire and was fully engulfed in flames. Sheriff Richard Behnke said authorities did not know …

State Rep. Aaron Miller has announced his monthly in-district office hours with local residents, emphasizing the importance of being available to the community. The second-term representative said he enjoys the opportunity to connect with people and hear what matters most to them. Miller will hold office hours 8 to 9:30 a.m. Feb. 24 at Baker’s Rhapsody in Dowagiac, and from …

A Three Rivers-area man, informally known as “The Bicycle Man” died Tuesday after the bicycle he was riding was struck by a pickup Friday evening in Park Township. Bob Kellogg, 53, was commonly seen on the shoulders of U.S. 131, riding his bicycle, and collecting bottles and cans. Stan Brueck, who runs a Free Store in Three Rivers and found …

Members of St. Joseph County’s board of commissioners appear willing to bend their hiring-freeze directive to aid Family Court. During Wednesday’s executive committee meeting, commissioners heard Judge David Tomlinson explain a potential hardship with the impending retirement of Cathy Coleman. Coleman, whose job title is juvenile register, originally had planned to retire March 28 but has moved up the date …

State Rep. Aaron Miller voted for legislation that will eliminate driver responsibility fees, forgive outstanding debt and give people a break when they seek to have driving privileges reinstated. Miller said the fees were initiated nearly 15 years ago by a previous administration that needed an influx of funding to fill a hole in the budget. Since 2003, hundreds of …

The cause of a fire that destroyed a building Sunday night at Fiberglass Composites in Mottville still is undetermined. Investigators from the Michigan State Police were back at the scene Wednesday. Because of extensive damage from the blaze, however, a precise cause cannot be determined, officials said. Investigators said a witness told them the fire was first seen near an …

Monday’s four-hour open house related to the proposed solar-panel farm in Mendon Township drew more than 100 people and marked Geronimo Energy’s first public presentation related to the issue. A team of six representatives from the suburban Minneapolis company was on hand to discuss all aspects of the concept, including development, permitting, construction, project management and marketing. Geronimo Energy’s proposed …

A Mottville Township factory was heavily damaged following a fire that started Sunday night. Fire officials said personnel from nine departments were needed to battle the blaze at Fiberglass Composites on Union Street in Mottville. Authorities said a worker noticed overhead lights flickering around 6:30 p.m., and soon realized the building was ablaze. Firefighters arrived to found 75 percent the …

St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit members partnered with Michigan Department of Corrections parole and probation employees to conduct a “Night Hawk” operation that resulted in the arrest of 15 people Monday. The operation was conducted to verify compliance with terms of probation. All charges relate to distribution and use of methamphetamine and marijuana. In addition, several suspects had outstanding …

Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education has agreed to offer the position of interim superintendent to Rob Olsen. Current superintendent Tom Langdon announced more than a year ago he plans to retire at the end of March. During a Monday meeting, district officials concurred Olsen would be the best candidate for the three-month period ending June 30. Kerri Millett, Gwen …