State Rep. Matt Lori played a role in a package of bills approved this week by the House Criminal Justice Committee. Three of the bills lower the blood-alcohol content level from the current 0.10 to 0.08 percent for operators of boats, off-road vehicles and snowmobiles. Lori’s portion of the bills is specific to watercraft. Meanwhile, Lori’s Crime Stoppers bill establishes …

Barbara Joann Huftile, age 78, of Sturgis, went to be with her Lord and Savior early Wednesday morning, May 8, 2013, at her home, with her husband at her side. She was born Dec. 2, 1934, in Sturgis, a daughter of the late Samuel E. and Helen (Tennent) Large. Barbara was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis …

Gordon Bruce Bart, age 70, of Sturgis, Michigan passed away Tuesday evening, May 7, 2013 at the Sturgis Hospital Emergency Room. He was born February 23, 1943 in Grand Rapids, Michigan son of the late Daniel and Esther (Schumaker) Bart. Gordon resided in Sturgis since 1964 coming from Grand Rapids. On September 12, 1964 he married Christina Marie Carter in …

My name is Wilbur and I am a male retriever/collie mix. I am mostly red with a white chest, am about six years old and have already been neutered. I weigh about 66 pounds and am very sweet. The ladies said that I am good on a leash and like people and my fur is very soft. I know how …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency this week received reports of salmonella cases possibly linked to the handling of live baby chicks. The Coldwater-based agency said the situation should serve as a reminder that people who touch ducklings or chicks should wash your hands immediately afterward. Agency officials said live baby poultry may be put on display at stores where …

The city of Sturgis is continuing its brush pick-up through the end of the week. Department of Public Services crews started the process Monday from the north side of the city and are making their way to the south end. City officials ask that materials be neatly stacked on the terrace area, away from objects or obstructions such as power …

Items from a residence in Colon Township were stolen during a forced-entry break-in last week. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said deputies were called to the 32000 block of Decker Road, where jewelry and a number of other items were stolen. The victim told police the incident likely occurred between Thursday last week and this past Sunday.

Deputies from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident that occurred last weekend in Leonidas Township. According to a department media release, a barn was entered by the suspect and cigarettes were stolen from a vehicle parked inside. The suspect was confronted by a resident and fled the area on foot, westbound toward Correll Road.

Michigan State University police led a dramatic duck rescue Wednesday on the East Lansing campus. Around 8 a.m., a mother duck attempted to lead her 10 ducklings across West Shaw Lane near Red Cedar Road. While the mother duck and one duckling crossed successfully, 9 ducklings fell into a storm sewer. MSU police managed traffic and along with other MSU …

Karen Marie Truckenmiller, age 64, of Centreville, passed away Wednesday, May 8th, 2013 at her home following a long illness with A.L.S /Lou Gehrigs disease. She was born in Sturgis, MI on March 21, 1949, the daughter of John and Glenna (Abbott) Jones. Karen graduated from White Pigeon High School in 1967 and from Warner Beauty School in Ft. Wayne …