Cass County Sheriff Joe Underwood Jr. said his office investigated a single-vehicle crash that took place last week in Porter Township. Underwood said the incident occurred mid-afternoon Friday on M-217 at State Line Road. The driver, 50-year-old Brad Martin, of Vandalia, was northbound on M-217 when he lost control of his vehicle, which left the roadway and struck the Welcome …

A candlelight vigil in memory of Sturgis accountant David Locey drew more than 300 people to Free Church Park in downtown Sturgis Saturday night. Organized by family friends Jade Klingler and Leeann Lindsey, the vigil featured reflections from Sturgis City Commissioner Rob Sisson, retired bank executive Frank Iannarelli and retired Sturgis economic development director John Hayes. The trio made frequent …

A household hazardous waste collection Saturday was declared a success by event organizers. Sponsored by the St. Joseph County Solid Waste Committee, the twice-a-year drop off at the county fairgrounds featured hazardous waste, televisions, computers, tires, paper and cardboard, and latex paint. Pat Kulikowski, solid waste committee secretary, said final numbers show the collection netted 256 tires, 20,000 pounds of …

State Rep. Matt Lori has announced the Sturgis Neighborhood Program will receive a $30,000 grant from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. The grant, from the Housing Resource Fund, will be used to support general operating expenses of the organization, which serves residents of the city of Sturgis and the surrounding area. Lori said the Sturgis Neighborhood Program serves to …

A service offered Saturday by Up-Cycled Pets of St. Joseph County proved to be a popular attraction. Staged at the St. Joseph County fairgrounds, the first-of-its kind event offered free rabies shots, four-in-one vaccinations and microchipping for dogs. The program was organized and conducted jointly between Up-Cycled Pets and the Kalamazoo County Humane Society, thanks to a Michigan-based foundation that …

The Cass County Drug Enforcement Team last week uncovered a comprehensive marijuana-growing operation in Penn Township. Investigators on Wednesday searched a barn in the 16000 block of Dutch Settlement Road and surrounding property and uncovered the operation. Detectives located numerous marijuana plants, more than five pounds of processed marijuana and a loaded firearm. Officials said the estimated street value of …

Last year’s crop was decimated by late frosts, and the feeble harvest yielded a mere 2.7 million bushels for growers. This year, however, is shaping up to be a record year, projected to top 30 million bushels, according to growers. Adam Dietrich, Michigan State University graduate and grower at Leo Dietrich and Sons, based in Conklin, Michigan, says this year …

Nancy Ruth Dailey, age 75 of Three Rivers, passed away Wednesday, September 25th, 2013 at her home. She was born in Three Rivers on February 7, 1938, a daughter of Lloyd and Ella (Bean) Swinehart. On July 14, 1956 she married Keith L. Dailey in Angola, IN. He preceded her in death July 12, 2004. Nancy was a cook and …

Bertha E. Ulrich, age 104, of Burr Oak, Michigan passed away Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013 at Thurston Woods Village. She was born January 9, 1909 in Alpena, Michigan a daughter of the late Otto and Bertha (Lintz) Beyer. Bertha had been a resident of Burr Oak since 1937 and was first married to John Frohriep and second marriage to Myron …

David Frank Locey, age 70, longtime Sturgis resident, community leader and friend of many passed away Wednesday morning October 2, 2013 in Sturgis. He was born January 13, 1943 in Sugar Grove, Pennsylvania son of the late James and Mildred (Anderson) Locey. Dave resided in Sturgis from the age of 14 coming from Sugar Grove. He was first married to …