News

Michigan State Police and Michigan Department of Corrections have been conducting a month-long investigation into incidents involving drugs and cell phones being smuggled into the Lakeland prison in Coldwater. Investigators received a tip about a potential attempt of drugs and/or a cell phone being thrown over a fence on the west side of the prison property. Around 5 a.m. Sunday, …

Work on four major county-backed projects is continuing, though county officials are being advised to prepare for higher-than-projected expenses. During last week’s executive committee meeting, project manager Jennifer Sawyer provided updates on the Three Rivers satellite courthouse, the Centreville courthouse courts building, the historic courthouse roof project and work at the St. Joseph County Jail. Bids for the historic courthouse …

Plans are underway for the city of Sturgis to bring market-rate housing through what is called a tiny homes project. WOOD-TV reported that the property, on Prospect Street between Hatch and West streets, is enough to fit one normal-sized home. But the city’s housing commission plans to fit five “small homes” that are about the same size as a large …

The pilot of a Cold War-era jet noticed it was losing power and decided to eject himself and a crew member before the Soviet fighter plane crashed during a weekend air show in suburban Detroit, an official said Monday. The pilot, who also owns the plane, had serious injuries but nothing life-threatening, while a second person aboard the MiG-23 had …

St. Joseph County Road Commission is appealing to the public for help in finding property stolen from the Centreville-based agency. Road Commission officials said 92 orange cones were stolen from a recent paving job of Silver Street in Mendon Township. Value of the cones is in the thousands of dollars. Tips can be phoned to the road commission or St. …

Here’s an update on work being done on U.S. 131 in St. Joseph and Kalamazoo counties, according to Michigan Department of Transportation’s Christopher Jacobs. Recently finished work includes completion of storm sewer Stage 1, from Rocky River bridge north to M-216. Meanwhile, all hot-mix asphalt leveling is complete for Stage 2. In addition, restoration is completed in areas that have …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has reappointed Sturgis rancher Monte Bordner to the Michigan Beef Industry Commission. Bordner is reappointed to represent cattle breeders for a term expiring in May 2026. Since the early 1940s, the Bordner family has farmed near Sturgis, specializing in Angus cattle breeding. Bordner, a former member of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners, is recognized as …

Sheriff’s deputies were involved in a pursuit last weekend that originated in Centreville. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman said deputies responded to the 300 block of West Main Street at 2:30 a.m. Saturday in response to a fight involving a number of individuals. Investigators said several subjects ran to a vehicle, which fled the scene when deputies arrived. Deputies, with assistance from …

The case of an Indiana man involved in a June crash that killed two LaGrange County women in White Pigeon Township is moving on to St. Joseph County Circuit Court. Harley Jay Bontrager, 19, appeared Tuesday with his attorney, Jessica LaFond, before District Court Judge Jeff Middleton. As a result of Bontrager waiving the preliminary examination, the matter will now …

A pit bull owned by a Constantine resident will be euthanized after it bit a woman in the face earlier this year. The matter was handled Wednesday by St. Joseph County District Court Judge Jeff Middleton. The defendant, Cassandra McWaters, sobbed as Middleton read the order that the unlicensed dog involved in the April attack be euthanized within a week. …