Undersheriff Jason Bingaman wishes to make residents aware of a scam that started on the east side of the state and has now reached St. Joseph County. Bingaman said deputies responded Friday to the 60000 block of M-66 in Colon Township to investigate a possibly stolen skid steer. Investigators found the scam involves individuals renting equipment from stores such as …

Organizers behind Colon’s annual Fourth of July fireworks display said donations for the 2024 show are down considerably compared to this point in the past. Co-organizer Kay Decker said it was decided to not spend money on postage and materials to solicit via direct mail funds from village residents. Instead, a public appeal is being made through social media to …

An 18-year-old man and his 33-year-old passenger face a number of charges after attempting to flee from officers over the weekend. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman said the agency was called Sunday by Sturgis Police to assist with a pursuit involving a stolen vehicle. During the pursuit, the driver pulled into a yard in the 400 block of Edka Street. Authorities said …

Vicksburg’s continuing effort to replace its lead water pipes infrastructure is getting a considerable boost thanks to anticipated funding of nearly $4 million secured by U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg. Village President Tim Frisbie announced the $3.9 million windfall during the council’s June 3 meeting. He said Vicksburg has been listed as one of Congressman Walberg’s member-designated projects for 2025. Michigan …

A destination eatery in St. Joseph County closed for good over the weekend. Fisher Lake Inn, a Park Township gathering place for nearly four decades, closed at the end of the business day Friday. The restaurant issued a statement on social media. “Fisher Lake Inn would like to thank all of our loyal customers who have supported the Fisher Lake …

A National Weather Service track map showed peak winds reached 130 miles per hour last month in St. Joseph County. St. Joseph County Emergency Services Director Erin Goff and St. Joseph County United Way Executive Director Kelly Hostetler last week provided county commissioners a summary of the May 7 tornadoes that struck St. Joseph and Branch counties. Goff said data …

About one in 10 residences in St. Joseph County does not have access to high-speed internet. The statistic was provided to St. Joseph County officials this month by broadband consultant Chris Scharrer, CEO of Washtenaw County-based DCS Technology Design. Appearing at the county board’s June 11 executive committee meeting, Scharrer said his research shows about 3,100 households – 12 percent …

Sturgis Public Schools students will not be allowed to have their phones on them during the school day starting with the impending academic year. The policy was adopted this month by the district’s board of education. As a result, students now will have to keep their phone silenced and in their locker. Superintendent Art Ebert says discussions about the policy …

The 14th year of St. Joseph County Conservation District’s annual River Cleanup series starts this weekend with work concentrating on a waterway new to the agency. Conservation District officials and community volunteers will tackle a stretch of Swan Creek in Colon. Event organizers said the route is less than two miles, making it a good option for anyone interested in …

Michigan Department of Transportation’s Chris Jacobs has issued an update regarding the second phase of U.S. 131 construction. Work, which started April 15, is concentrated to an area that includes the village of Schoolcraft and an area north to Shaver Road. According to Jacobs, completed work includes installation of a storm sewer from Lyon Street to Eliza Street; three crossovers …