St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners, St. Joseph County itself, and the agency that oversees mental-health and drug-abuse services in the county are among the defendants named in a lawsuit filed last week. The five-member county board as well as Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of St. Joseph County Board were named in the suit filed by former …

State police were called Monday afternoon to a two-vehicle accident in Fabius Township. According to a department media release, troopers were alerted at 3:30 p.m. that a car heading east on M-60 drove onto the shoulder to pass a vehicle stopped to turn left onto Roberts Road. The 18-year-old Marcellus woman lost control of the car and it crossed the …

A full-service grill and pub franchise based in Indiana has announced it plans to expand to nine additional Michigan communities. Veteran business owners and Wings Etc. franchisees Gene and Robert Harrison are behind Wings’ Michigan expansion, which initially includes a site in Coldwater. Gene Harrison said since opening Wings Etc. in Sturgis last year, it was clear the market has …

Sturgis is one of four communities across Michigan identified for the strategies it employs to foster entrepreneurial growth and economic development, according to the annual eCities study. The study, conducted by iLabs, University of Michigan-Dearborn’s Center for Innovation Research, identified Dexter, Saginaw, Sturgis and Tecumseh for their successes and efforts in contributing to Michigan’s growth. The eCities study analyzed publicly …

A former prosecutor who later served as a judge in St. Joseph County has passed away. James Noecker, 76, died Monday at Bronson Methodist Hospital. The Constantine native served as assistant prosecutor for two years before taking over as prosecutor. Noecker was appointed by Gov. William Milliken in 1981 to serve as circuit judge, completing an unexpired term. He subsequently …

Whether we admit it or not, we all have a certain phrase that sets us apart from others. Those few words we say without being aware of it. Some teenagers use the word “Like” more than they might admit. “Like, that really happened”, or “Like, I saw her talking to him and like I didn’t think she was that bold.” …

A man was arrested last week following a foot pursuit by Sturgis police. Authorities said Charles Daniel Holmes was seen in a neighborhood backyard. He fled after a resident started their vehicle, police said. Officers later located a person matching his description and a pursuit began. Holmes fled through a church property and eventually tried to enter a house in …

A pair of Three Rivers High School football players was named honorable mention to the Associated Press All-State team. Junior quarterback Jalen Heivlin and senior lineman Tyler Moore were recognized in a vote amongst a state media panel for Division 3 and 4. Meanwhile, Mendon High School was well represented in the Division 7-8 All-State team. Senior tailback Wyatt Cool …

A 24-year-old Sturgis man was arrested on multiple charges after attempting to flee from police over the weekend. Police said the man assaulted a woman and stole her purse Saturday. He was located by officers a few hours later near Lakeview Avenue and Bogen Road. The suspect is being held on charges of felony domestic, unarmed robbery, possession of methamphetamine, …

James Paul Noecker, 76, of Sturgis, died early Monday morning, Nov. 27, 2017, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. Jim was born May 1, 1941, in Constantine, a son of Paul and Marion (Sartain) Noecker. He earned his degrees from University of Michigan, BBA in 1963 and JD in 1967. He worked as assistant prosecutor for St. Joseph County for …