Fire/Rescue

Two car crash in Burr Oak

Sheriff’s deputies were called last week to a two-vehicle accident in Burr Oak Township. The incident occurred shortly before 9:30 p.m. Friday at the intersection of M-66 and Findley Road. Investigators said a vehicle driven by Sturgis-area resident Shirley Schrock was heading north on M-66 and turned left onto Findley Road, into the path of a southbound vehicle driven by …

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Woman injured in Fabius crash

A Constantine woman suffered minor injuries after she was involved in a two-vehicle accident over the weekend in Fabius Township. State police said 54-year-old Cynthia Custard was driving south on U.S. 131 shortly after 1:30 p.m. Saturday when her vehicle was struck by a car heading east on M-60. It was driven by Demetrius Banks, 32, of Sturgis. Investigators said …

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Former firefighter sentenced for string of arsons

A former firefighter who confessed to lighting seven structures on fire in Michigan will spend at least six years in prison. Kyle David Norden, 40, was sentenced Monday in Van Buren County Circuit Court to six to 20 years in prison for arson, The Herald-Palladium reported . He was also ordered to pay more than $500,000 in court costs and restitution. Judge …

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Multiple injuries in Cass County crash

Three people were injured in a two-vehicle crash earlier this week in Cass County’s Newberg Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 12:40 p.m. Monday to the intersection of M-60 and M-40. Investigators said a car driven by 96-year-old Woody James of Three Rivers was eastbound on M-60 when it failed to stop at the M-40 intersection. His …

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Man injured in Cass County accident

A Decatur man was injured in a one-vehicle accident over the weekend in Cass County’s Pokagon Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly before 7:30 a.m. Sunday to M-51, near Pokagon Street. Investigators said 44-year-old Chad Strehlke was driving north on M-51 and attempted to pass another vehicle. Strehlke, however, lost control of his vehicle and it exited …

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Cause of Mottville fire under investigation

The cause of a fire that destroyed a building Sunday night at Fiberglass Composites in Mottville still is undetermined. Investigators from the Michigan State Police were back at the scene Wednesday. Because of extensive damage from the blaze, however, a precise cause cannot be determined, officials said. Investigators said a witness told them the fire was first seen near an …

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Mottville factory damaged in fire

A Mottville Township factory was heavily damaged following a fire that started Sunday night. Fire officials said personnel from nine departments were needed to battle the blaze at Fiberglass Composites on Union Street in Mottville. Authorities said a worker noticed overhead lights flickering around 6:30 p.m., and soon realized the building was ablaze. Firefighters arrived to found 75 percent the …

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Former fire chief remembered

The Three Rivers Fire Department is remembering a former chief whose leadership was recalled with high regard. Danny Cross served as chief from 1992 to 2008. He passed away Dec. 8 in Texas following a career that spanned four decades. The 68-year-old Cross was credited for his focus on improving the city’s ambulance service, helping bring the city’s current ladder …

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Branch crash kills one, injures two others

One man is dead and two people were injured Friday in a crash on U.S. 12 west of Snow Prairie Road in Branch County’s Bethel Township. Identity of those involved have not been released, pending family notification. Branch County Undersheriff Keith Eichler said a driver of Ford Fiesta had stopped on U.S. 12 to turn left into the Sprung Lake mobile …

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Man injured in Cass County crash

A Marcellus man was airlifted from the scene of a one-vehicle accident earlier this week in Cass County’s Wayne Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were alerted shortly before 2 a.m. Sunday to a car-versus-tree incident on Lawrence Road, near Marcellus Highway. The driver, 23-year-old Terance Hartzell, was driving south on Lawrence Road when he swerved his car to avoid …

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