News

A home in western Michigan has burned after fireworks were lit on the porch. The Kalamazoo Gazette reports that the blaze was reported Sunday morning in Kalamazoo and took several hours to put out. Kalamazoo Public Safety Lt. Rafael Diaz says the “porch had fireworks exploding all over the place … all kinds of colors. It was lit up like …

The task of converting the former Three Rivers Inn from a hotel to senior housing and Commission On Aging headquarters is progressing well. Tim Stoll, COA director, addressed county commissioners Tuesday with an update on the plan. Stoll said assessments regarding the building and its potential re-design are ongoing. Stoll said the COA is working on a community-wide meeting for …

St. Joseph County voters will have the chance next year to decide the fate of a millage-increase request sought by E-911 Central Dispatch. Members of the county commission voted Tuesday to authorize the 0.25-mill increase request to appear on the May 2018 ballot. If approved, the agency would collect 1 mill annually over a seven-year period. It currently collects 0.75 …

High school students in school districts adjacent to Michigan’s state border are one step closer to more post-secondary and dual enrollment options after the House recently approved legislation proposed by state Rep. Aaron Miller. The legislation amends the Postsecondary Enrollment Options Act with the specific stipulation that the out-of-state educational facility must be within 20 miles of the shared border …

Michigan Department of Transportation officials are planning an open house next week to address proposed improvements of a major intersection. The state agency will stage an open house 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Henry Brown Municipal Building in Coldwater to discuss its plans to repave and reconfigure the I-69 business loop in Coldwater. Officials from MDOT and the …

Teresa Doehring was announced Tuesday as the successor to Pat Yoder as St. Joseph County administrator. The position is the highest, non-elected job in St. Joseph County’s government. Doehring, who turned 43 Monday, currently serves as the county’s human resources director and assistant county administrator. A lifelong Mendon-area resident, Doehring was recognized for her leadership and contributions to St. Joseph …

Twenty-six county employees with milestone years of service were recognized Tuesday by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. During Tuesday’s commission meeting, nine department heads presented their respective employees with a pin to commemorate their employment-related achievement. Recognized for a decade of service were Rose Risko, Katie Hughes, Paulette Snay, Stacey Bower, Jerimiah Abnet, Ed Rangler and Josh Allabach. …

An irrigation system was damaged last month in Burr Oak Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said the incident occurred in a field at U.S. 12 near Halfway Road. The owner of the system reported the incident Monday and said the damage was likely done on or around Sept. 25.

Tips from the public helped police apprehend a 39-year-old man considered a person of interest in the heroin overdose death of a Three Rivers woman. Chief Tom Bringman said officers were called at 7:20 a.m. Monday to the 900 block of Fifth Street in response to a possible overdose. Police and fire personnel found an unresponsive woman at the residence …

Six people were arrested on drug-related offenses earlier this month in White Pigeon Township. Members of the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit responded Oct. 4 to the 71000 block of Lakeview Drive after receiving numerous citizen tips about suspected narcotics activity taking place at the residence. SCAN members obtained a search warrant, and were assisted by the St Joseph …