A Sturgis Middle School math teacher has been named the winner of the 2013 John E. Oster Award. Cynthia Sprowl, a district employee of more than 30 years, was announced as the recipient during a recent luncheon sponsored by the Sturgis Rotary Club. The award is presented on behalf of the John Oster Memorial Fund, established in 1981 by Jo …

Sturgis city manager Mike Hughes said the municipality has been rated a “Five-Star Community” for the second consecutive year for its positive entrepreneurial climate. In addition to receiving the five-star designation, which is the highest ranking awarded, the city also received recognition as a 2013 “Best Practice Community.” The city is one of only eight communities in the state to …

The Michigan Department of Transportation has identified two bridges in St. Joseph County that will be replaced in the coming year. Spans over the Rocky River on Floating Bridge Road and Pulver Road, both in Flowerfield Township, will be dismantled and replaced in 2014. The tasks were made official when members of the St. Joseph County Road Commission Board recently …

Eric Jones, Mark Heydlauff and Tommy Hamilton were recently appointed to join the Sturgis Hospital Board of Directors and Hospital Foundation Board of Directors. Jones joined the board Oct. 9 and will serve until May 2014. Since 1991, he has been president and owner of Michiana Corrugated Products Company. He is presently a member and vice-president of the Sturgis Hospital …

Nedra L. Miller, of Topeka, Ind., passed away Dec. 23, 2013, at the age of 88. She was born April 3, 1925 in Ligonier, Ind. On Aug. 30, 1952 she married Walter “Ray” Miller. He preceded her in death Oct. 6, 2003. She is survived by two daughters, Connie (Dave) Palmer of Centreville and Patty (Bryce) Elkins of Columbia City, …

Happy Holidays! I am a 5 year old female black and tan shepherd/heeler mix. I am very gentle and love attention. I like to walk on a leash and I know to sit and shake on command. My head and cheeks are so soft, just made for petting. I have a bushy tail and two-toned nose. I am not a …

Members of the Fabius and Park townships fire boards have agreed to fund a second-shift staff member. The boards agreed earlier this month to man its station from 3 to 11 p.m. in hopes of reducing response times. The cost is expected to be shy of $40,000, but officials from both townships noted several money-saving steps undertaken by the fire …

The village of Centreville is expected to have its own police department in place starting in mid-February. Village officials  have voted to not renew a contract with the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department and will instead oversee its own law-enforcement agency. The county had been providing police coverage since the 1990s, but Centreville village officials agreed it would be cheaper …

The Coldwater Post of the Michigan State Police will soon have a new canine unit on staff. Trooper Jereme Miller and his German shepherd, Dakota, will begin their service after the new year. The Coldwater post services the White Pigeon detachment. Miller and Dakota are one of 49 canine teams with the state police. They recently completed a 14-week training …

Indiana Michigan Power is expected to complete aerial inspections on its line towers in Southwest Michigan this week. The company has been conducting the inspections in central and western Indiana, and Kalamazoo and Cass counties in Michigan. Helicopters are being used by Due North Aviation, the company contracted to conduct the inspections.