Government

Man gets at least four years

A Kalamazoo man will serve at least four years behind bars for stealing a car and escaping from custody while on a work crew at the St. Joseph County Fairgrounds last year. Adryll Matthews, 24, was sentenced last week by Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman to between four and more than seven years in jail for stealing a fair employee’s …

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911 dispatch to get half a mill

The millage amount to be levied for St. Joseph County’s 911 Central Dispatch service in 2013 will be half a mill, one-quarter of a mill less than what voters authorized in August. Millage amounts to levy next year for four county agencies were set Tuesday by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. While the county’s roads, transportation and commission …

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Biosolids discharge

The Three Rivers Department of Public Services reported a biosolids discharge along South Lincoln Avenue at the Three Rivers Clean Water Plant early Monday. James Baker, Clean Water Plant director, said the incident occurred shortly after midnight, when approximately 3,648 gallons of liquid biosolids were released from a storage tank. Baker said staff worked through the night to clean up …

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Fire at Oasis Restaurant

The Oasis Restaurant, south of Three Rivers on U.S. 131, caught fire over the weekend. Information about the incident remains limited as of Monday afternoon, but Three Rivers Fire Chief Dan Tomlinson said area of origin was the kitchen and the incident involved a kitchen hood system. The incident was reported by a passer-by around 10:20 p.m. Friday. Three Rivers …

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Convictions upheld

A three-member panel of judges with the Michigan Appellate Court has upheld the convictions of a Centreville couple charged in the death of their daughter. The court last week dismissed appeals filed by Anthony and Marsha Springer, who were convicted and sentenced to lengthy prison terms for their roles in the death of 16-year-old Calista Springer in February 2008. The …

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Meth involved with arrest

Two Sturgis residents were arrested on various charges after they were involved in a dispute last week. According to Sturgis police, officers were called shortly before 1:30 a.m. Friday to the vicinity of North Jefferson and West West streets. Upon arrival, officers noticed both parties had sustained knife wounds. They were treated at Sturgis Hospital. A 25-year-old woman was charged …

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Court upheld Stewart’s conviction

The Michigan Court of Appeals earlier this week upheld Doug Stewart’s conviction in connection with the April 2010 slaying of his estranged wife. A decision on the matter was rendered Tuesday by a team of three judges in Grand Rapids. The ruling affirmed Stewart’s convictions for first-degree premeditated murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree premeditated murder in St. Joseph County. …

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Lorich gets sentenced

A Burr Oak-area man was sentenced to at least 13 years in jail for a knife attack on his grandmother last year. During his sentencing before Judge Paul Stutesman in St. Joseph County Circuit Court last week, 18-year-old Michael Lorich was ordered to between 13 and 30 years in prison on a charge of assault with intent to commit murder. …

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Weather radios to be given away

The St. Joseph County Emergency Management Office has announced it is giving away weather radios at the St. Joseph County Grange Fair. Members of the agency said early warning of severe weather events can lead to better preparations and accurate information before and during severe weather. This year at the fair, the Emergency Management/Homeland Security display will offer to those …

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Hayden guest at the Capitol

State Rep. Matt Lori this week invited Constantine Fire Department Chief Mike Hayden to be his guest to a special program Tuesday at the Capitol. Lori and other House lawmakers Tuesday honored first responders on the 11th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks. The ceremony also honored members of the military who gave their lives in the line of duty …

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