St. Joseph County Transportation Authority’s “Free Ride Home” program provided New Year’s Eve transportation for 16 people over the course of the seven-hour offer. Agency director Allen Balog said seven rides were given by the Sturgis-based bus, while the rest were by the bus positioned in Three Rivers. The service was offered from 7 p.m. Sunday through 2 a.m. Monday. …

Sturgis municipal officials anticipate a busy year with the opening of a number of new businesses. None bigger than the Watershed project, a large-scale commercial-residential development started earlier in 2023 and well underway in downtown Sturgis. The first floor is planned to be a steakhouse, with the second through fifth floors to be studio, one- and two-bedroom residences. The project …

Completion of the Three Rivers satellite court campus has been identified by St. Joseph County officials as another achievement to look forward to in the new year. In order to free up space at the Centreville courts building, county officials are refurbishing the former Three Rivers Public Library as the new location for Friend of the Court and Probate/Family/Juvenile Court …

Constantine Village Council members last month approved expanding its Industrial District to benefit a local business. During their Dec. 18 meeting, council members OK’d the expansion proposal for Michigan Milk Producers Association. Village manager Mark Honeysett said the expansion is on property MMPA already owns. It is located at 455 E. Water St. MMPA officials said the property will be …

An attempted recall of the five-member White Pigeon Township Board is no longer valid due to timing. With less than a year before their terms on the board expire, supervisor Don Gloy, treasurer Trudy Gloy, clerk Lacie Pletcher, and trustees Jean Tefft and Vince Schroen, will not be subject to a recall. County clerk Lindsay Oswald said state law prohibits …

Dozens of St. Joseph County residents could be victims of mail theft following an incident reported over the weekend in Sherman Township. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman said deputies were advised shortly after 9 a.m. Sunday that mail was found scattered throughout the area in the 25000 block of Mintdale Road. Deputies discovered the mail was removed from mailboxes within Sherman and …

The country’s last Hot ‘n Now has put a piece of its history in the hands of a collector. Earlier in the month, Wanda Lesniak, co-owner of the iconic restaurant on South Centerville Road in Sturgis, announced the analog menu sign was being replaced by a digital version. The old sign was auctioned off to benefit Isaiah 117 House, a …

St. Joseph County Road Commission saved taxpayers more than $250,000 by overseeing a culvert-replacement project itself rather than contracting the job to an outside source. The fact was one of many shared by Eric Shafer, chairman of the St. Joseph County Road Commission Board. He presented the agency’s 2022 annual report to St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners Dec. 19. …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating the theft of a vehicle taken between Sunday at 9:30 am and Monday at 9:00 am from a location in Sherman Township. Investigators said the 1998 GMC Sierra was stolen from a location in the 64000 block of Shimmel Road. It is pewter colored with Michigan registration plate DYP5018. A moon sticker and orange …

SNOW, SNOW, SNOW !  I am waiting for snow for Christmas!  I am “Onyx”.  I am a male, bull terrier about two years old.  I was lost in Sturgis and someone brought me into Animal Control.  I am glad to be in a warm, safe place.  My friend “Frank” is still here waiting for his new home also,   My docket …