Briah Stevens, a second-grader at Wenzel Elementary School in Sturgis, gave up her own Christmas gifts so one of her classmates could receive presents. Back in early December, Stevens heard one of her friends say she wasn’t going to have a Christmas this year because her family couldn’t afford gifts. Stevens explained the situation to her mother and asked that …

Floyd G. Hodges, age 97, of Sturgis, passed away Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, at Sturgis Hospital. Floyd was born Dec. 3, 1921, in Cowan, Tenn., a son of the late Howard E. and Effie J. (Grandstaff) Hodges. Floyd grew up in Colon, graduating from Colon High School with the class of 1942. He moved to Sturgis in 1948. On Sept. …

Additional revenue from the state has given St. Joseph County Road Commission a fund balance of more than $6 million. As a result, the agency is planning to do extra work in the upcoming year. Included in budgeted expenses are work on the Kalamazoo Street Bridge in White Pigeon at $2.2 million and at least $3.5 million on 22 miles …

A 46-year-old man has been arrested in connection with two recent bank robberies in the Michiana area. Dwight Neal faces charges for a Dec. 18 robbery of Flagstar Bank in South Bend and a Dec. 21 robbery at PNC Bank in Bronson. Neal was arrested Dec. 22 in South Bend after police responded to a domestic abuse call, said Kevin Garcia, …

A 46-year-old Cass County man has been charged with murder in connection with the 2016 death of his 2-year-old stepdaughter. Lance Reeves was denied bond by a Cass County judge Friday during the Dowagiac man’s arraignment on charges of open murder and child abuse. The judge entered a not-guilty plea for Reeves. Authorities say a witness accused Reeves of violently …

A Michigan man charged with killing six strangers between picking up rides for Uber pleaded guilty to murder on Monday, just before attorneys were set to interview jurors for his trial. Jason Dalton’s surprise move came more than three years after shootings, which occurred over the course a few hours in and around Kalamazoo. Dalton pleaded guilty to murder and …

November’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County was six-tenths of a percent higher than the previous month. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed the county’s 3.9 percent November unemployment rate marked an increase from October’s 3.3 percent. St. Joseph County was above the state unemployment average, which was 3.6 percent in November. …

St. Joseph County Road Commission Board member Dave Allen said he is willing to give up his seat if the county commission will appoint Rick Anderson in his place. Allen’s proposal comes in the wake of county commissioners Wednesday choosing Vince Mifsud over Anderson, a 12-year incumbent on the road commission board. Allen said Anderson has a less-demanding work schedule …

Two residents of the Cass County community of Union were involved in a two-vehicle collision over the weekend in Porter Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly after 7 a.m. Friday to U.S. 12 and Sunset Boulevard. Investigators said a car driven by 33-year-old Lindsay Sztojka turned left onto U.S. 12 from Sunset Boulevard. Sztojka failed to yield …

State police are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident that took place last month at a Klinger Lake residence. According to a department media release, the incident occurred between Dec. 24 and Dec. 26 in the 21000 block of North Shire Drive in White Pigeon Township. Items taken during the break-in included tools, an electric miter saw and a spool containing approximately …