News

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 …

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 …

Sturgis Hospital officials have announced new rules for visiting the hospital during the flu season. Influenza season guidelines are: Hospital visitors must be 18 years or older; visitors to the obstetric unit must be immediate family. Siblings under age 18 visiting a newborn may be screened for fever; one visitor per patient is allowed in the emergency department; and patients …

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 …

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 …

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. …

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 …

A Marcellus gas station was robbed last week. Cass County Sheriff’s officials said the incident occurred at 10:40 p.m. Thursday at Yummie’s Marathon. Investigators said a white man with a bandana covering his face entered the store and displayed a semi-automatic handgun. After receiving an undisclosed amount of money, the suspect left the scene. A tracking dog from the Van …

Last week’s New Year’s Eve Free Ride Home program drew fewer passengers than it did one year earlier. Despite the decrease from 35 a year ago to 26 this year, St. Joseph County Transportation Authority officials are calling the 2014-15 event a success. Marci Goodman, operations manager of the Three Rivers-based agency, said Free Ride Home would be a success …

One person was injured in a single-vehicle crash last week in Constantine Township. State police were called shortly before 7 a.m. Thursday to the 11000 block of Millers Mill Road. Upon further investigation, troopers found that the driver was westbound on Millers Mill when his vehicle crossed both lanes of traffic and rolled down an embankment. The driver freed himself …