The city of Sturgis is offering a North Pole Express mailbox through Dec. 16 for children to deliver Christmas lists to Santa. The arrangement was created after the city’s DDA had to cancel this year’s Christmas in the City due to COVID- 19 gathering restrictions. The mailbox is located in front of the Sturgis police and fire station on North …

A Cass County resident was injured after a tree fell on him in Calvin Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called around 6 p.m. Sunday to the 18000 block of Brownsville Road. Investigators said 40-year-old RoMell Dungey was removing trees from his property when one fell on top of him. Authorities said his 14-year-old son removed the tree then …

Based on the overwhelming number of COVID-19 cases in Van Buren and Cass counties, the Van Buren/Cass District Health Department has made the decision to focus efforts on containing potential outbreaks. Recent cases have reported numerous close contacts, making contact tracing efforts difficult to sustain. Even with assistance from partner organizations and increased staffing, capacity has been reached. As a …

Cass County Sheriff Richard Behnke said the agency is investigating a death that deputies believe to be suspicious in nature. The body of a deceased female, age 29, was found in a vehicle at 7:30 a.m. Thursday. Behnke revealed little more about the situation, as it remains under investigation. He did say, however, that the location of the vehicle was …

Three Rivers Community Schools has announced two confirmed cases of COVID-19. Superintendent Ron Moag said one case involved a student at Norton Elementary and the other was confirmed as a teacher at Andrews Elementary. Moag announced the cases last Monday. He said anyone identified as a close contact of either person has already been advised by district officials. Moag said …

Due to the COVID- 19 pandemic, an annual event to benefit St. Joseph County children has been called off, but the organizations and businesses involved have still provided a donation to help the cause. The joint efforts of Sturgis Elks, Sturgis Kwanis, Key Club, Willer’s shoes and Ayres Insurance, led to a donation to Rooted of St. Joseph County, for …

Ryan Banaszak, Sturgis director of public safety, wishes to remind residents about the city’s snow-removal ordinance and what to do when a weather emergency is called. By Sturgis city ordinance, when a forecast calls for snow and ice accumulation greater than four inches, a snow-removal emergency may be declared. During such an alert, parking is prohibited on all city streets, …

A key north-south route in St. Joseph County could be in store for some upgrades. St. Joseph County Road Commission Engineer Garrett Myland said the potential project centers on Lutz Road. He said initial plans call for two miles from M-86 in Lockport Township south to Fairchild Road in Florence Township. Myland said the ultimate goal is to reconstruct the …

Three Rivers city officials have approved an updated master plan. Commissioners last week accepted the plan, which has been developed by Kalamazoo-based McKenna Associates with input from local officials and community members. Three Rivers Mayor Tom Lowry said community input was solicited to help better define the master plan. It has been described as the city’s short- and long-term goals …

A number of road projects are possibly on tap in Fabius Township in 2021. Outgoing supervisor John Kroggel said he met with road commission officials and reviewed various routes in the township worthy of attention. Targeted for improvements next year are Broadway Road, Hoffman Road, Venta Road, Krull Road, Millard Road and Coon Hollow Road. Kroggel said the Coon Hollow …