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Investigators are still looking into the cause of a house fire reported around 5 p.m. Wednesday in Sherman Township. The blaze heavily damaged the residence, in the 64000 block of Shimmel Road. There were no injuries reported, though personnel from the Tri-Township Fire Department sought frequent rehabilitation from heat near 100 degrees by utilizing an emergency-response trailer brought to the …

An employee of the Marcellus Fire Department has pled guilty to embezzlement. Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz said Nicole Olsen, 33, of Marcellus, pled guilty as charged to embezzlement over $1,000 on Monday. The victim in this matter is the Marcellus Fire Department, Fitz said. The plea requires Olsen to make restitution of more than $17,000 and includes a provision …

Bonnie still waits for her forever person. We are the girls. We are four year old female Beagles. We were picked up stray so our ages may be off, we could be mother and daughter. They say that we are like 2 peas in a pod. We are joyful girls and very happy when nice people stop to play with …

May unemployment in St. Joseph County increased by four-tenths of a percent from April, according to the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget Analysis. The county’s May unemployment rate was 8.1 percent. Despite the increase from April, the May figure is still less than the county’s 9.9 percent unemployment rate in May 2011. One other positive note: St. Joseph …

The St. Joseph County Road Commission spent more than $5 million on road maintenance last year, down from $6.5 million in 2010, according to the agency’s manager, Louis Csokasy. During his annual report to the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners last month, Csokasy said the agency did manage to complete 90 miles of road upgrades through chip-and-seal work in …

The Animal Rescue Fund of St. Joseph County is appealing to the public for help in providing some items needed immediately. Cat and dog food, cat carriers and litter box filler, bath towels and foster and permanent homes for pets are needed in addition to monetary donations and gas cards. People wishing to inquire about making a donation or ask …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department was summoned shortly before 6 p.m. Saturday in response to a two-vehicle accident in Fawn River Township. Investigators said a pickup driven by a 58-year-old Coldwater man was eastbound on U.S. 12 when a vehicle driven by an 18-year-old Westland woman attempted to make a left turn onto Carls Road The driver of the …

Last month’s Bike to Build event, a fundraiser to benefit the St. Joseph County Habitat for Humanity, drew nearly 70 participants and raised more than $2,000. Organizers of the 19th fundraiser said the June 23 event was well attended in light of the fact it took a one-year hiatus in 2011. Carol Higgins, a member of the county’s Habitat for …

The St. Joseph County Conservation District has announced it is planning a paddle poker run, a fundraiser to help raise money for the agency’s river and riverbank cleanup efforts. Conservation District officials said they recently cleared the hurdles necessary with the state in order to stage the lottery-type event. The paddle poker run will take place Sept. 2 on the …

The Palmer and Long lakes flotilla in Colon saw a Chicago-area family win first place for best float in the contest staged last weekend. The annual event, started in 1986 by the Colon Masonic Lodge 73, drew just seven participants. The family of Kevin and Peggy Nolan won the event with their boat’s theme, “The Dog House.” Other themes included …