County Information

Casey Soto, a senior at White Pigeon High School, recently received a $180,000 Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Marine Option Scholarship. The award covers four years’ worth of tuition, a $250 per month stipend and $ 750 per semester for books. The comprehensive application process involved standardized test scores, a writing component and a physical fitness component. Out of 130 applicants nationwide, Soto was …

The St. Joseph County Road Commission said portions of a number of roadways in the county remain closed due to water over the road. Unless restrictions were lifted Sunday night or early today, they are as follows: In Park Township, Marcellus Road between Buckhorn and Hutchinson roads. In Leonidas Township, Longnecker Road between McClish and Rosenbaugh; Blossom Road between Covey …

State Rep. Aaron Miller last week joined his colleagues in the Michigan House to unanimously advance legislation that will benefit roadways in southwest Michigan as early as this summer. The $175 million proposal provides money for road preservation and construction projects in addition to what was already budgeted. Miller said the unanimous vote shows the legislature is in unequivocal agreement …

Troopers from Michigan State Police are investigating the breaking and entering of the Sturgis Bank and Trust ATM in Mendon. The incident occurred at 1 a.m. Jan. 15. Investigators said the suspect gained entry into the ATM by using some type of prying instrument. The suspect then left the area in a tan-colored minivan. The suspect is described as a …

Three Rivers Fire Chief Carl Holcomb is urging residents and business owners near rivers to prepare for rising waters and have an evacuation plan ready. Holcomb also recommended people stay off the rivers, as high water levels cause strong currents. In addition, Holcomb said motorists should not attempt to drive through barricaded streets and roadways. Water levels were expected to …

One of the farmers behind a concentrated animal-feeding operation going up in Sherman Township fielded a number of questions and provided clarity related to the project during Wednesday’s St. Joseph County Conservation District Board meeting. At the request of board member John Nelson, Ed Schlabach attended the meeting and elaborated on what will be a four-barn development between Shimmel and …

A Coldwater man was arrested this week on charges related to criminal sexual conduct and manufacturing child sexually abusive material. State police investigators at 1 p.m. Wednesday executed a search warrant at a Harrison Street residence in Coldwater to investigate allegations of a criminal sexual conduct that had been alleged online via the phone application, KIK. Troopers found that a …

A Sturgis-area woman and her passengers escaped from the vehicle she was driving after it ended up in a water-filled ditch this week in Burr Oak Township. Sheriff’s officials said 34-year-old Michele Wall was driving east on Hackman Road at 7:20 a.m. Wednesday. Wall’s vehicle entered standing water in the roadway and she lost control of the vehicle. It went …

Despite a pair of dissenting votes, St. Joseph County commissioners on Tuesday approved a staffing request for an impending vacancy in Family Court. The 3-2 vote means Judge David Tomlinson and director Tom Robertson can begin searching for a candidate to replace Cathy Coleman, juvenile register. Coleman’s last day is Feb. 28, as she accepted the county’s early-retirement incentive. Commissioner …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department has issued a media release regarding the number of water-covered roadways throughout the county. Sheriff’s officials said 12 inches of water is enough to sweep away a sport-utility vehicle. The county road commission has placed barricades at affected locations. The sheriff’s department advises motorists to obey the barricades and find an alternate route. Also, …