News

The state of Michigan is hiring a mental health agency to conduct an independent review of the Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital, which is under scrutiny over patient safety. The state Community Health Department said Monday that Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services will do an evaluation focusing on inpatient care and the hospital’s organizational structure and staff. The review is expected …

A 10-year-old boy was struck and killed early Sunday near the intersection of U.S. 131 and West Michigan Avenue in Three Rivers. The boy, Trenton Holtslander, a 15-year-old sibling and their father were walking across U.S. 131 in the 100 block. The victim dropped something and as he went back to retrieve it, he was struck by a northbound van …

October’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County decreased by six-tenths of a percent compared to a month earlier. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 4.6 percent October unemployment rate was less than September’s 5.2 percent. October’s unemployment rate was 2.6 percent less than the same month one year earlier, …

Two Cass County men were arrested on drug-related offenses last week in Volinia Township. Members of the Cass County Drug Enforcement Team were called to assist parole agents from the Michigan Department of Corrections. At 5:40 p.m. Wednesday, they assembled outside a residence in the 16000 block of Dutch Settlement Road. Detectives located methamphetamine components, meth paraphernalia, marijuana and firearms …

Three people were injured following an accident Friday night at the intersection of M-60 and U.S. 131 in Three Rivers. State police said a semi heading south on U.S. 131 struck an eastbound vehicle on M-60 that drove onto U.S. 131 and into the path of the truck around 11 p.m. The driver of the car, 57-year-old Mark Thompson of …

A 44-year-old man faces a hearing on charges that he stabbed three fellow Amtrak train passengers and a conductor in southwestern Michigan.  Michael Williams of Saginaw is to appear Monday in court on attempted murder charges.  Police used a Taser to subdue Williams Friday night as the train was stopped at a depot in Niles, about 10 miles north of …

A man accused of stabbing a conductor and three passengers on an Amtrak train in southwestern Michigan before officers subdued him has been charged with four counts of attempted murder, police said Saturday. Police identified the suspect in Friday night’s attack as Michael Williams, 44, of Saginaw. He was being held Saturday at the Berrien County jail and his initial …

Barring any major modifications in the next week and a half, St. Joseph County’s board of commissioners is expected to approve a 2015 fiscal year budget of almost $16.5 million. The proposed budget is 11.6 percent less than the 2014 budget, which is about $18.6 million. Finance director Joni Smith said three requests were made for new personnel in 2015, …

Investigators from the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit, along with deputies from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, executed a search warrant Thursday in the 25000 block of U.S. 12 in White Pigeon Township. Methamphetamine and components used in the manufacturing of meth were located throughout the interior of the residence. According to a department media release, a number …

Tree-lighting ceremonies and a holiday parade will take place this weekend in three different St. Joseph County communities. Officials from Colon Area Chamber of Commerce are staging the ninth annual “Christmas in Colon” from 5 to 8 tonight. A parade from Colon Elementary to Colon Community Park starts at 6 p.m. Meanwhile, the “Christmas in Constantine” celebration continues with its …