The weekend’s snowstorm serves as a reminder that a snow emergency in the city of Sturgis goes into effect when accumulation reaches four inches or more. During a snow emergency, no vehicles may be parked on city streets. The measure is put into place to allow snow-removal trucks to clear the streets and treat icy patches without interference from vehicles …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department responded early Thursday last week to an alarm at Klinger Lake Trading Post, at the corner of U.S. 12 and Klinger Lake Road in White Pigeon Township. Officials said the alarm sounded at 3 a.m. Upon arrival, deputies noticed a break-in had occurred but it appears the suspects fled the scene when the store’s …

Glenn Robert Chappell, age 66, of Sturgis, passed away Friday, Dec. 30, 2011, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis.  He was born July 10, 1945, in Mountain City, Tenn., a son of the late Stacy and Jewel (Grindstaff) Chappell.  Glenn had been a resident of Sturgis since 1981, moving here from Tennessee.  On Oct. 11, 1969, he married Patricia Heckler …

Lee Douglas Manson Sr., age 52, of Burr Oak, died Friday, Dec. 30, 2011, at his home.  He was born Dec. 14, 1959, in Hazel Crest, Ill., a son of Emery Lee and Mary Lou (Dekker) Manson. At the age of 14, Lee’s family moved to the Fisher Lake area, where he attended Mendon Schools, and later Glen Oaks Community …

Larry Lee Falkenstein, age 62, of Sturgis, Michigan passed away early Saturday morning December 31, 2011 at the Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation Community in Centreville, Michigan. He was born May 14, 1949 in Sturgis, Michigan a son of the late Donald L. “Jim” and Ethelynn June (Taylor) Falkenstein. Larry was a lifelong Sturgis resident.  For many years he had been …

The Constantine Fire Department has surmised that an overloaded electrical outlet was the cause of a fire Dec. 23 at a residence in the 300 block of Canaris Street. Portions of the residence were damaged but the house was not deemed a total loss. There were no injuries as a result of the blaze.

American Axle and Manufacturing appears to be in store for a new product line that could generate at least 200 new jobs at the Three Rivers plant. Company officials said the local plant would benefit from American Axle’s $1.1 billion overall corporate expansion to create components for a passenger/crossover vehicle being developed and introduced by a yet-unnamed manufacturer. A public …

The St. Joseph County Road Commission building is in store for a renovation. The five-member road commission panel recently approved the agency’s budget and within the allowance they allocated $200,000 toward updating the building. Money to cover the work will come from non-road funds. Primarily, proceeds from the sale of old and obsolete equipment will cover the building improvements, road …

St. Joseph County’s Parks and Recreation Department is soliciting residents for ideas and input regarding an update of its five-year master plan. The new, five-year cycle begins in 2012. Department officials said citizen input is used to help develop goals and set a course of action based on the public’s suggestions. The department oversees eight parks that collectively cover 420 …

Gladys A. Taylor Smith, age 85, of Sturgis, passed away  Saturday, December 31st, 2011 at Thurston Woods Village following a long illness. She was born in Sherman Twp., MI on August 31, 1926, a daughter of  Clarence and Grace (Sink) Harter. She worked as a Assembler at the Kirsch Co. in  Sturgis. Surviving are her daughter, Diana Milliman of Bronson, and son, …