Fire/Rescue

Fire being investigated

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 …

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Woman guilty of embezzlement

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 …

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Residents reminded of noise ordinance

The Sturgis Police Department is reminding city residents that the municipality’s general noise ordinance will be enforced for fireworks-related complaints received Tuesday through Thursday. Deputy Chief David Ives said jurisdictions with a noise ordinance in place before the state’s approval of commercial-grade fireworks for the general public can be enforced. Meanwhile, the Sturgis Fire Department reminds residents that extreme caution …

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Woman injured by firework

Authorities say a 38-year-old woman was critically injured with extensive burns after leaning over a firework she lit in southwestern Michigan.  Kalamazoo police say the woman was setting off fireworks late Wednesday at her home with her husband. She was hospitalized with second- and third-degree burns to her face, hands, arms and torso.  Lt. Stan McDonald said investigators believe the firework …

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Man arrested for beating wife

A 53-year-old Florence Township man is in jail on suspected assault charges following an alleged incident with his wife early Monday. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Bruce Tullos, was arrested after his wife was found beaten around 4 a.m. alongside Roys Road, east of Sevison Road. The victim was airlifted to a Kalamazoo hospital and listed in critical …

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Labrador saves boy

A black Labrador is credited with saving a 14-month-old boy from drowning Sunday in Marcellus. According to the Cass County Sheriff’s Department, the young man slipped away from his mother as the two were headed to their garage and he wound up in the family pool. As soon as the mother realized her son was no longer with her, she …

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Fire at TR apartment complex

The Three Rivers Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire shortly after 12:30am Tuesday at Waterfront Apartments on Thomas Street. Firefighters arrived to find smoke showing, fire alarms activated, and some occupants evacuating out of the 12 units on the north half of a 24 unit building. During a door-to-door check, a total of four apartments required forcible entry …

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Fertilizer spill cleaned up

A nitrogen fertilizer spill in Florence Township Wednesday afternoon resulted in the leakage of 90 gallons of fertilizer. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said the incident occurred on Engle Road, just north of Featherstone Road. Officials said a tank was being pulled by a tractor when a weld broke. A level-gauge device snapped off when the tank dropped to …

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Fire Chiefs asking for a ban on burning

A grass fire Wednesday in Sturgis Township burned more than five acres of a field along Stubey Road. Officials from the Tri-Township Fire Department said it appears embers from a burning barrel triggered the fire. There were no injuries reported. Fire chiefs across the county are asking for a ban on outdoor burning at least until a measurable rainfall hits …

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Blaze under investigation

Investigators looking into the cause of a weekend fire that destroyed Waterfront Apartments in Three Rivers have pinpointed the origin of the blaze. Three Rivers Fire Chief Dan Tomlinson said a third-floor balcony at the northwest end of the three-story structure was determined to be the starting point of the Saturday morning fire. What investigators have yet to figure is …

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