News

The August primary ballot in St. Joseph County will be a bit more crowded following action Tuesday by the county’s board of commissioners. The St. Joseph County Road Commission will present to voters a two-part request. The first asks for renewal of 1 mill for a 10-year period. The current mill has been in place a decade and expires at …

Deputies from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department are investigating a larceny from a vehicle earlier this week in Burr Oak Township. The suspect stole a purse out of a vehicle parked at a business in the 64000 block of M-66 between 6:30 and 10 p.m. Monday. The purse was described as pink and green in color with a Native …

A 22-year-old man has been found guilty in the killing of a 1-year-old Kalamazoo girl who authorities say had hemorrhaging in her brain and eyes as well as alcohol and marijuana in her blood. A jury convicted Toren Hains Tuesday of felony murder and first-degree child abuse in the December 2012 death of Zoie Grace Johnston of Oshtemo Township. The …

State wildlife officials have issued arrest warrants against two southwestern Michigan residents for illegally possessing the foot and talons of a great horned owl. The owl parts were discovered at a home as police were investigating a check fraud case. Department of Natural Resources spokesman Ed Golder says the residence is in Cass County’s Marcellus Township. No arrests have been …

The number of motorcycle deaths involving riders not wearing helmets in Michigan is up. According to the latest report from the Governors Highway Safety Association, 60 people died in motorcycle accidents in the state in 2013 compared to 55 the year before. Michigan’s mandatory helmet law was changed two years ago and now allows riders with additional medical coverage, safety …

Deputies from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department are investigating a suspicious fire that occurred Sunday evening in Nottawa Township. According to a department press release, illegally dumped trash at the Evans Lake Public Access was set on fire. The fire then spread to surrounding brush. The suspect vehicle is a white Ford F150, extended cab. The public access is …

An investigation is now underway after police shot and killed an armed robbery suspect after he opened fire on them in Niles late Friday night. Niles Police, Michigan State Police, and Berrien County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call of an armed robbery at a fast food restaurant. Investigators say the suspect identified as 39-year old Eddie Macon Jr. of …

An inmate at the St. Joseph County Jail is dead after he hanged himself Thursday afternoon. Sheriff Brad Balk said Kenneth Huey, 43, of Three Rivers, was discovered in his cell shortly after returning from a court proceeding. The nature of the hearing centered on a domestic assault incident, Balk said. Jail personnel administered CPR and an automated external defibrillator …

White Pigeon Township resident Vickie Schroen is $5,000 richer after she was the winner in Saturday’s Cow-Poo-Looza III at Central Elementary. The $20 ticket she bought just hours before the start of the event proved to be the entry that coordinated with the square on which a cow defecated. The action took place about 10 minutes after the cow, named …

The 51st Mendon Dust-Off drew more than 500 show cars and several hundred spectators to Mendon High School Sunday. Event organizers said a clear day helped attract a large number of participants despite a strong wind. The event is one of two major fundraisers for the Mendon Kiwanis, which relies on the $3-per-spectator admission fee to provide scholarships to Mendon …