St. Joseph County tornado confirmed as EF-2

St. Joseph County tornado confirmed as EF-2

Robert TomlinsonMay 9, 20242 min read

A tree fell down on this property on Driftwood Drive north of Colon during Tuesday night’s storms, which also caused a car to be lifted up onto its front side. Multiple homes on Driftwood Drive were damaged by the storms,…

Storms pass through St. Joseph County with widespread damage; state of emergency declared

Storms pass through St. Joseph County with widespread damage; state of emergency declared

Robert TomlinsonMay 7, 20245 min read

A pole barn owned by Nottawa Gas in Centreville was significantly damaged in a storm that tore through St. Joseph County Tuesday. The possibly-tornadic storm tore through areas of Centreville and Colon Tuesday night, causing significant damage to both businesses…

Three Rivers man killed in stabbing, suspect arrested

Three Rivers man killed in stabbing, suspect arrested

Robert TomlinsonMay 7, 20241 min read

THREE RIVERS — A 46-year-old Three Rivers man was arrested on an open murder charge after allegedly stabbing a 61-year-old Three Rivers man Sunday night. According to the Three Rivers Police Department, police and the St. Joseph County Major Crime…

Newton named new president of Glen Oaks Community College

Newton named new president of Glen Oaks Community College

Robert TomlinsonMay 3, 20246 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CENTREVILLE — Dr. Bryan Newton has been officially named as the ninth president of Glen Oaks Community College. In a press release Friday, the college announced that Newton, who previously served as the vice president for…

GOCC to offer Newton presidential position

GOCC to offer Newton presidential position

Robert TomlinsonMay 3, 20246 min read

Dr. Bryan Newton addresses the public at a presidential forum Tuesday, April 23 at Glen Oaks Community College. Newton was offered the position of president by the college’s Board of Trustees Thursday, April 25. (COMMERCIAL-NEWS | ROBERT TOMLINSON) By Robert…

Mendon, White Pigeon schools seek bond renewals in May election

Mendon, White Pigeon schools seek bond renewals in May election

Robert TomlinsonMay 3, 20248 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director MENDON — Two local school districts are seeking approval of bond renewals in an election next week. On Tuesday, May 7, voters in the Mendon and White Pigeon school districts will be putting forward bond renewal…

Labor trafficking charges levied against three former TR business owners

Labor trafficking charges levied against three former TR business owners

Robert TomlinsonApr 30, 20245 min read

Pictured is the former location of Broadway Market Tuesday. Three former owners of the business, Ikbahl Singh Machhal, Kartar Chand, and Shila Devi were charged with labor trafficking by the Michigan Attorney General’s Office, accused of labor trafficking a now…

Fire Chief: Electrical short caused barn fire at fairgrounds

Fire Chief: Electrical short caused barn fire at fairgrounds

Robert TomlinsonApr 30, 20243 min read

An aerial view of the aftermath of a barn fire at the St. Joseph County Fairgrounds Saturday. Centreville’s fire chief said Tuesday the cause of the fire was an electrical short on a power pole. (Photo courtesy Todd Haifley) By…

Suspect in Mendon break-ins arrested

Robert TomlinsonApr 30, 20242 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director MENDON — An arrest was made Tuesday in connection with three break-ins in the Mendon area over the weekend. According to Mendon Police Department Chief Mike Kline, a 46-year-old Three Rivers man was arrested in the…

Police seeking surveillance footage in Mendon break-ins

Robert TomlinsonApr 29, 20242 min read

MENDON — The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is asking anyone for security camera footage to help catch a suspect in a recent rash of break-ins in the Mendon area over the weekend. There were three incidents reported between Sunday…

Fire engulfs, destroys barn at St. Joseph County fairgrounds

Fire engulfs, destroys barn at St. Joseph County fairgrounds

Robert TomlinsonApr 27, 20243 min read

Firefighters work to put out a fire that occurred at Barn 42 on the St. Joseph County fairgrounds Saturday afternoon. (COMMERCIAL-NEWS | ROBERT TOMLINSON) By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CENTREVILLE — A fire erupted at a barn on the St. Joseph…

Celebrity chef Jet Tila visits Constantine schools

Celebrity chef Jet Tila visits Constantine schools

Robert TomlinsonApr 26, 20247 min read

Celebrity chef and Food Network personality Jet Tila (right) serves up some of his Hawaiian fried rice with teriyaki chicken to Aleeah Northrop (second from left) and Addison Townsend (left) during a lunch period cooking demonstration at Constantine Middle School…

District: Online threat closed White Pigeon schools Friday

District: Online threat closed White Pigeon schools Friday

Robert TomlinsonApr 26, 20242 min read

White Pigeon Junior/Senior High School, as well as Central Elementary, were closed Friday due to an online threat against White Pigeon Community Schools. (Photo via Google Maps) By Robert TomlinsonNews Director WHITE PIGEON — White Pigeon Community Schools was closed…

Mexican national charged with home invasion, sexual assault in Sturgis incident

Mexican national charged with home invasion, sexual assault in Sturgis incident

Robert TomlinsonApr 26, 20243 min read

Miguel Hernandez-Ruiz was arraigned last week on one count of home invasion and two counts of first degree criminal sexual conduct in an alleged incident that occurred on March 20 at the Sweet Lake Mobile Home Park near Sturgis. (Photo…