News

The autopsy has been completed, following what police had originally labeled as a suspicious death. Police chief Mark Honeysett said no foul play is suspected in the death of 53-year-old Thomas Astling. He apparently died early this week at his home in the Whispering Pines Mobile Home park on South Washington Street. His body was discovered Wednesday afternoon.

A Sturgis woman has died as the result of a car-pedestrian accident Wednesday evening at the intersection of South Centreville and Fawn River Roads. The victim was identified as 20-year-old Michal Webb. She was reportedly walking her dog when she was struck by the car, which was driven by a 25-year-old female from Howe, Indiana. The dog was killed in the …

The first of what organizers hope is an annual fundraiser for the county’s Animal Control agency takes place 6 to 10 p.m. Friday at the Sturgis Elks. It is being hosted by the St. Joseph County Animal Control Advisory Board. Emily Frohriep, chair of the nine-member panel, said the outpouring of support from the business community has helped make it …

Three Rivers Public Library is appealing to individuals and business for support of its annual summer reading program. Young adult librarian Elizabeth Rasberry and children’s librarian Caryn Wilson said this year’s theme is “On your mark, get set, read!” Donations made to the program allow Rasberry and Wilson to purchase materials needed toward its success. Items they wish to secure …

Christina Bainbridge has been named principal at Eastside Elementary School in Constantine, and Darrin Vandenberg will serve as principal at Riverside Elementary School. Their appointments, which are in effect next month, were made Monday by members of the Constantine Public Schools Board of Education. Bainbridge succeeds Jessica Barth, who will become the district’s athletic director at the end of the …

Klinger Lake resident Paul Watters, a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, joined state Rep. Aaron Miller on the House floor Tuesday to mark the 71st anniversary of the allied victory in Europe over the Axis forces. VE Day occurred May 8, 1945, when Germany surrendered. Watters served in the Pacific Theatre of Operations during the war and was …

A mother bear that mauled a northern Michigan girl as she jogged along a woodsy path nearly three years ago has been killed after mortally wounding a pet dog that apparently was chasing one of her cubs, state officials said Wednesday. The bear was shot in a rural township near Cadillac, about 2 miles from where Abby Wetherell was attacked …

Six ballot questions – including two funding-increase requests – will appear on the August primary ballot in St. Joseph County. The deadline for questions to appear on the ballot was Tuesday. Sturgis Public Schools submitted its sinking-fund request shortly before the deadline after district officials agreed Monday to move forward with the request. St. Joseph County’s largest school district is …

St. Joseph County voters in August will decide between two candidates for county clerk and county treasurer. Incumbent clerk Lindsay Oswald, who was appointed to the post in July 2015, is seeking the four-year term. A Lockport Township resident, the 36-year-old Oswald is being challenged by Melissa Marsh, 30, of Fabius Township. Judie Ratering, incumbent county treasurer, is vying for …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners will see at least two new faces starting in 2017, as commissioners Robin Baker and Rick Shaffer have decided to not seek re-election. White Pigeon’s Dan Czajkowski, 60, is running unopposed and will replace Baker to the two-year term as District 4 representative. Four contestants are competing to replace Shaffer as commissioner of …