Fire/Rescue

Man injured in car crash

Alcohol appears to be a factor in a single-vehicle accident involving a Coldwater man Tuesday in Branch County. State police said John Bertich, 34, was driving south shortly after 8 p.m. on Batavia Road near the intersection of Central Road in Batavia Township. Police said Bertich failed to stop at the intersection and his vehicle crashed into a tree on …

Read More »

Mottville home destroyed in fire

Fire destroyed a home earlier this week in Mottville Township. Just after 8 a.m. Tuesday, White Pigeon firefighters were called to a home in the 13000 block of Anderson Road. Flames were coming from the home when firefighters arrived. Officials believe the blaze began on the east side in a living room area. Two residents were home at the time …

Read More »

Man dies in workplace altercation

An Elkhart man died after he was involved in a workplace altercation Wednesday in Cass County’s Mason Township. Sheriff Richard J. Behnke said deputies were called shortly before 5:30 a.m. to Ameri-Kart, a business in the 19300 block of Grange Street. While Deputies and ambulances were en route, it was discovered that one of the employees had stabbed the other …

Read More »

Home destroyed by fire

Firefighters from four departments battled a residential blaze Monday afternoon in Sherman Township. Crews were dispatched around 3 p.m. to the 66000 block of Klinger Lake Road. First responders saw flames emanating from the rear of the home. Flames quickly spread to the front of the home, according to authorities. The residence was a complete loss. An initial investigation suggests …

Read More »

Kalamazoo woman dies after fire in senior apartment building

Authorities say one person has been killed after a fire broke out in a senior apartment complex. Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officials say the woman was rescued early Saturday from a seventh-floor balcony of the nine-story Crosstown Parkway Senior Community Apartments building. She was taken to a hospital, where she died. Fire officials say the blaze was contained to …

Read More »

Teen dies when tree falls on vehicle

A Lansing teenager died Wednesday in Cass County after a tree fell on the vehicle in which he was a passenger. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 6:35 a.m. to M-40 near Harvey Street in Newberg Township. Investigators were told a pickup driven by 52-year-old Michael Rinehart of Lansing was northbound on M-40 when a tree fell on …

Read More »

Firefighters deliver gifts to area families

Members from two area fire departments made Christmas brighter for some Three Rivers and area families last week. Personnel from Three Rivers and Fabius-Park departments Friday delivered gifts to families in the annual “Firefighters for Santa.” Beginning at 3 p.m., firefighters, with the help of Santa, delivered the presents in one- hour blocks. In addition, each of the 90 families …

Read More »

Marcellus man dies in house fire

A Marcellus man died in a house fire over the holiday weekend. Marcellus firefighters were dispatched to a home on Woodland Street early Sunday afternoon where they found 63-year-old Gordon Booz deceased inside the house. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Read More »

WP Fire Department delivers food and presents

Members of the White Pigeon Fire Department continued a long-standing tradition last week. The agency has collected food and non-perishable items for local families and arranged a visit from Santa. Their efforts this year benefitted 60 local families. The collection of items was done over the course of several Saturdays, when firefighters could be found outside Wagoner’s market collecting items. …

Read More »

Sturgis home destroyed by fire

A two-story residence in Sturgis was destroyed by fire Thursday. Sturgis Fire Captain Cody Cripe said crews were called shortly before 6 a.m. to an address on Lakeview Avenue. The first-arriving unit reported a structure with heavy fire showing from the rear of the house. The fire was extending from the basement to the second floor, both interior and exterior. …

Read More »