A $9.1 million development featuring retail and residential components has been proposed for an area in downtown Sturgis. The plan was introduced at last week’s Sturgis City Commission meeting. John Carmichael, of Root and Branch Real Estate LLC, presented a concept for the mixed-use development in the downtown area. The proposed project includes 25 apartments and a steakhouse over an …

Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy has announced the resumption of its Saturday Volunteer Workdays program. Its first workday will take place Saturday at a St. Joseph County property it owns: Hidden Marsh Sanctuary. Saturday’s event takes place 1 to 4 p.m. at the Buckhorn Road property. Event organizers said the focus will center on brush removal, which will include lopping, chopping, …

Sturgis police last week arrested a suspect connected to a ring of fraudulent checks distributed in the area. According to authorities, the suspect was arrested Wednesday following a several-days investigation. Officers obtained a warrant Thursday to conduct a search in the 400 block of East Congress Street. Officers found that a large number of fraudulent checks had been cashed across several counties. …

First Lt. Barry Schrader took over last week as the new commander for the Michigan State Police post in Marshall. Schrader will command District 5, Region 4, after Lt. Jim Coleman transferred to command the Hart post in September following more than a decade in Coldwater, then Marshall. The Marshall post provides service to Branch, Calhoun and St. Joseph counties. …

Glen Oaks Community College administrators are reviewing the option of securing a low-interest USDA loan versus the idea of campus financial resources. Currently, the only college debt consists of two USDA loans: the residence hall, which pays for itself in student boarding fees; and the concourse renovation. The proposed South Campus work would potentially include renovation of the locker rooms …

In December 2021, Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy signed the final purchase documents for the Armintrout-Milbocker Nature Preserve in Allegan, making SWMLC the official owner of the property. Ultimately, SWMLC was able to secure grant funding for the acquisition from several different sources, all of which combined with a generous bargain sale by the Armintrout and Milbocker Families, to make the …

Colon Downtown Development Authority officials have announced the DDA’s step forward in an effort to attract visitors to the community. The goal of a new website and branding done by Circa Design is to keep the village relevant and visible, parlaying its role as Magic Capital of the World. The website launched Dec. 29 and can be found at: visitcolonmi.us. DDA …

Michigan Farm Bureau’s 2021 “Young Farmer Excellence in Agriculture” award winner, Loren King of Burr Oak, brought his insight and expertise in farm advocacy and technology to the national stage Saturday, taking home second place at AFBF’s annual convention in Atlanta. The Excellence in Agriculture Award is designed to recognize young farmers for their involvement in agriculture, leadership ability and …

As they have several times this season, the Kalamazoo Wings (17-12-0-0) used last minute heroics to stage a come-from-behind victory over the Fort Wayne Komets (17-10-4-0) at Wings Event Center on Wednesday evening. In an odd beginning to the game, both teams scored while shorthanded for their first goals of the night.  First the Komets Tyler Busch scored an unassisted …

Well !! I am looking for a home without DUCKS!  I chase ducks and I was brought back to Animal Control because I chased them.  I am one and a half to two year old, Female.  I am quiet, housetrained and I get along with other dogs.  I will need my spay surgery.  My name is Ivy, and I am …