The White Pigeon Township Board of Trustees approved its 2013-14 fiscal year budget this week. The five-member board Tuesday approved its $455,000 budget, which is less than its budget one year earlier. Clerk David Girton said projected expenses from the general fund are $221,467, while expenses from the township’s fire department and cemetery fund are expected to be $177,300 and …

St. Joseph County officials have agreed to move forward with the idea of promoting St. Joseph County to the Chicago region. During a work session that included all five county commissioners Wednesday, county administrator Pat Yoder said he will work with officials from 2 Fish marketing and look at steps toward developing a concrete plan. Commissioner Don Eaton, a leading …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department has revived its Honor Guard, county commissioner Rick Shaffer announced this week. During commissioner comments at the conclusion of Tuesday’ meeting, Shaffer said the five-person team will be called upon to serve at funerals for dignitaries, retired or current police officers, or fire department personnel. Shaffer said the quintet is comprised of active sheriff’s …

Several fire departments responded to a blaze Wednesday afternoon at Southern Michigan Rubber, located on M-60 in Cass County’s Newberg Township. The fire reportedly started in a dust collector which is located in an area where rubber gaskets are manufactured. Twenty workers escaped from the building when the fire was discovered. The facility was a total loss.

Michigan lawmakers are approving the first significant increase in hunting and fishing license fees since 1997. Legislation passed 77-32 by the Republican-led state House Wednesday raises about $20 million more, a 40 percent boost. The money would let Michigan hire more conservation officers and improve parks, trails and habitat. The measure would create a new base hunting license costing $10 …

Norman E. Collins, 76, formerly of Sturgis, died peacefully on Feb. 4, 2013 in Venice, Fla. He was born Aug. 25, 1936, in Lancaster, N.Y. Norm is survived by his wife, Anne, married 53 years; three daughters, Susan (Frank) DiLeonardo of Chicago, Lori (Craig) Wildasin of Venice, Fla. and Cynthia (Jason) Parker of Cedar Springs; six grandchildren, Tyler, Brooke and …

Phillip D. Rice, 64, of Goodyear, AZ passed away on May 31, 2013. He was born in Sturgis, MI to Marion & Elizabeth Rice of Sherwood, MI. Following graduation from Colon (MI) High School he worked for Kirsch Co. of Sturgis, MI, then enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving aboard the USS Fox for two tours of duty off the …

A Sturgis resident will be asked to clean his Klinger Lake property of construction debris and concrete blocks, following an order to be imposed by White Pigeon Township officials. With more than two dozen people attending Tuesday’s township board meeting, Supervisor Don Gloy said he will ask that Eric Pierson removes the items from his Klinger Lake Road property. In …

An 18-year-old Sturgis woman was cited for failure to yield the right of way following a two-vehicle accident Saturday in Sherman Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Katelyn Johnson was driving on Banker Street when she proceeded to cross Balk Road. Sixty-two-year-old Charles Hudson of Sturgis was driving north on Balk Road and had the right of way; …

Sturgis Public Schools athletics director Mark Adams said the district is expressing an interest in joining the Wolverine Conference athletic league. Although the concept is in its infancy, Adams said Sturgis is aware the conference is interested in adding at least one other team, with the impending departure of Comstock. A Wolverine Conference meeting is expected to take place next …