Sturgis Civic Players recently presented former business owner Doug Bates the Star Sponsor Award in recognition of his support to the theatre group for more than a decade. During auditions for the upcoming fall musical “Shrek,” participants joined the Sturgis Civic Players and paused for a few minutes while SCP President Colin Eastman recognized Bates. Bates recently closed Designs by …

St. Joseph County Grange Fair officials said they are optimistic the 2025 edition will be another crowd-pleaser. Mindy Pleune, a fair board member and its marketing director, discussed the impending 174th event and its many offerings during last week’s media luncheon, held Thursday at the Centreville-based fairgrounds. New events this year include announcement of St. Joseph County’s “Homemaker of the …

A 26-year-old man deemed a violent offender was taken into custody last week in Mottville Township. Sheriff Chad Spence said the eight-member St. Joseph Valley Special Response Team assembled around 6 p.m. Wednesday to assist in locating and apprehending the suspect. He was taken into custody at a residence in the 11000 block of Riverside Drive. Spence said the man …

Three Rivers Area Mentoring plans to start a new service thanks to a grant from Three Rivers Area Community Foundation. TRAM officials said a new transportation program features a free ride home. A $2,500 grant will allow the agency to fund the transportation initiative. TRAM provides after-school services and activities for students in second through eighth grades. Program dismissal falls …

St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office officials said the scheduled sentencing last week for a Sturgis-area woman charged in the death of her 2-year-old daughter has been adjourned. Court officials said Sturgis Township resident Paige Bohne was to be sentenced Friday on charges of first-degree child abuse and assault with intent to do bodily harm. The 21-year-old Bohne previously pled no …

A Sturgis resident recently claimed a $2 million prize from a Michigan Lottery scratch-off game. The 66-year-old man purchased a “$2,000,000 Lucky” ticket Aug. 10 at the Lightning Quick Gas ‘n’ Go station on East Chicago Road in Sturgis. The $20 scratch-off features three top prizes of $2 million each. He opted for a lump-sum payment, which amounted to a …

Yoder’s Country Market in Centreville is offering free coffee this month – but with a benevolent hook. Owner Jon Yoder said the market is accepting cash donations through the end of September for every coffee purchase. All cash donations are being turned over to the family of local resident Ruthie Coblentz. Yoder did not elaborate on the nature of Coblentz’s …

Vicksburg municipal officials recently approved an update to the village’s blight ordinance. During Vicksburg Village Council’s Aug. 19 meeting, Village Manager Jim Mallery said revising the ordinance that addresses unsightly properties took about a year to craft. The process involved village officials, village attorney Catherine Kaufman and Police Chief Scott Sanderson. Sanderson said the revisions include streamlining enforcement. He said …

Four books deemed inappropriate by a group of Vicksburg Community Schools parents will remain on library shelves following a procedural review and recommendation by a district committee. During a recent special meeting, Vicksburg Community Schools Board of Education members voted in favor of supporting the recommendation related to the fate of: The Glass Castle The Perks of Being a Wallflower …

St. Joseph County United Way has launched a capital campaign aimed at funding the construction of a new facility. The new site is to be built on Shimmel Road, just south of St. Joseph County Intermediate School District’s headquarters. Agency officials said the new location will provide greater accessibility and visibility to continue strong collaboration with local education and community …