News

A 350-pound black bear that perched for hours in a tree, causing a Mother’s Day spectacle last spring in northern Michigan, was killed by a hunter, authorities said. “It makes me sad, because I was just envisioning it living peacefully in the forest somewhere, thriving as a bear does,” said Ashlea Walter, who was among dozens of people who watched in May …

A Lockport Township man who braved freezing waters to help a 22-month-old boy from a partially submerged car last week in the Portage River was commended Tuesday by the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman, Capt. T.J. Baker and Deputy Nathan Hewitt recognized Paul Leverance for his quick and heroic action Jan. 18 at the South Fisher Lake …

Constantine Village Manager Mark Honeysett said a boil-water advisory for a portion of the municipality has been lifted. Honeysett said three different samples were collected between Monday and Tuesday. After the samples were analyzed and returned negative for contamination, it was determined the boil-water advisory was no longer necessary. The advisory was issued following a water-main break that occurred late …

Two people have been charged following their arraignment last week. Colon resident Nathaniel Parsons, 43, and 44-year-old Jaclyn Gsell, of Mendon, were arrested, arraigned and released on bond Friday following the execution of a search warrant at 730 East State St. in Colon. According to Michigan State Police Detective Sgt. Matt Berry, troopers, the MSP Emergency Support Team and members …

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer called for increased investments in education through initiatives such as free community college for all high school graduates and free preschool for 4-year-olds in a State of the State speech Wednesday night focused on cutting costs for residents. The second-term Democratic governor’s speech preceded a legislative session that may require lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to …

A Sturgis woman was charged with larceny and larceny of livestock after she allegedly stole a horse and buggy over the weekend in Sturgis. Sturgis police responded at 5:30 p.m. Saturday to Walmart on South Centerville Road in response to a report of the theft. Authorities said a truck driver in the Walmart parking lot observed the 31-year-old suspect enter …

St. Joseph County United Way is overseeing a fund to assist a Three Rivers family who suffered substantial loss in a recent fire. Agency officials said the Wanda Lewis Family Catastrophic Fund has been set up in response to the family’s need for basic items, including clothing. Their residence was destroyed by fire Thursday last week. The family of seven …

St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department recently hired its first deputy trained through a government-paid incentive. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman said the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards grant is in its second year and has a pool of more than $20 million to share with qualifying agencies. MCOLES provides qualifying agencies $24,000 to cover the estimated $15,000 it costs for a …

Oliver Knuth, volunteer coordinator with the Kalamazoo Salvation Army, said the agency’s after-school program is in desperate need of volunteers. Knuth said families have had to be turned away due to a shortage of help. He said volunteers for the Salvation Army’s after-school program have the opportunity to be a lifeline for Kalamazoo children. The After-School Program is available 3 …

Fourteen people were displaced following an apartment fire over the weekend in Three Rivers. Chief Scott Boling said firefighters were called shortly before 6:30 p.m. Sunday to the 600 block of South Erie Avenue in response to a report of heavy smoke coming from a multi-residence structure. Personnel immediately started search-and-rescue efforts while simultaneously working on fire suppression. Two people …