Government

Two children die in Three Rivers fire

Investigators are trying to find the cause of a fire in a Three Rivers mobile home that killed two young boys on Wednesday. Antonisha Winters lost her four and two-year-old sons in the blaze on the west side of the city. Firefighters found the bodies of the boys in a badly-burned bedroom shortly after arriving on the scene. The children …

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Suspects were arraigned

An Indiana woman and a Sturgis man appeared before a magistrate Wednesday related to their alleged involvement in an armed robbery last week. Charges of armed robbery and felony firearms were officially leveled against Kayla Cockburn, 20, of Middlebury, and Michael Z. Strong, 20, of Sturgis. Their bond was set at $100,000 each and they remain in the St. Joseph …

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Honors for two former legislators

A pair of legislators who collectively represented St. Joseph County for a full decade was honored by a panel of county officials this week. Former State Sen. Bruce Caswell and former State Rep. Matt Lori were acknowledged by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners during Tuesday’s meeting. Resolutions honoring the pair were read by Commissioner Rick Shaffer and approved …

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Minivan dragged 16 miles

A family of four somehow escaped without any major injuries after their minivan was dragged for 16 miles early Wednesday by a semi on Interstate 75 in northern Michigan. Matt Menz says he rear-ended the big rig around 2 a.m. in a white-out in Roscommon County because he couldn’t see that the truck had slowed down. He and his wife …

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Armed robbery suspects arrested

Two people have been arrested in connection with last weekend’s armed robbery at the Marathon gas station on South Centerville Road in Sturgis. The suspects, a male and female, both 20, are in the St. Joseph County jail. Names were withheld pending arraignment. Public Safety Director Geoff Smith said the public played a major role in the investigation through numerous tips …

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Clerk and register of deeds plans June retirement

The most-tenured employee for St. Joseph County government announced Tuesday she plans to retire later this year. Clerk and register of deeds Pattie Bender issued a media release Tuesday, indicating her plan to retire June 30. The 64-year-old Bender joined the county in 1970 and became clerk in 1991, succeeding Beverly Burnham. A lifelong Centreville resident, Bender said she looks …

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Dobberteen will head Board of Commissioners

John Dobberteen will head the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners for the third consecutive year. The unanimous decision was made Tuesday at the commission’s first assembly of 2015. Dobberteen, whose jurisdiction covers the city of Sturgis and Fawn River Township, is starting his 17th year on the commission. This will be his seventh year overall as chairman. The nomination …

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Sturgis gas station robbed

Sturgis Police are continuing their investigation into a robbery early Saturday morning at the Sturgis Petroleum Marathon Gas Station. A gunman, armed with a black handgun, entered the business – located at the corner of Fawn River and South Centerville Road – just after 4 a. m. Saturday. The suspect entered the store and demanded money from an employee. After …

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Road conditions a factor in weekend crash

Slushy roadways and speed were factors in a single-vehicle accident reported over the weekend in Florence Township. St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department officials said a vehicle driven by 81-year-old Graydon Fox, of White Pigeon, was heading south around 7:30 p.m. Sunday on Lutz Road. Due to slush in the road, Fox lost control of his vehicle south of Stears Road. …

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Man drowns in Cass County

A Cassopolis man died Monday when he fell out of a boat on Shavehead Lake southwest of Jones. The victim was identified as 71-year-old Larry Malsch. Malsch, along with Christopher Habic, 56, of Cassopolis, were sinking Christmas trees into the lake to enhance fish habitat. Habic, who was on shore, attempted to use another watercraft to reach Malsch, but he …

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