The city of Sturgis has been recognized for the third consecutive year for its work to foster entrepreneurial growth and economic development. The annual honor was given following the 2012 annual eCities research project survey conducted by iLabs through the University of Michigan-Dearborn Center for Innovation Research. Sturgis was honored as a Five-Star Community, joining 27 other Five-Star and 26 …

Reva I. Bostetter, 94, of Howe, Ind., passed away Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013, at Miller’s Merry Manor in LaGrange, Ind. She was born June 11, 1918, in Mancelona, a daughter of the late Jesse and Mildred (Blentlinger) Huffman. Reva moved to the Sturgis area in 1950 and then in June of 1986 moved to South Twin Lake, Ind., and moved …

A 34-year-old Elkhart man was charged with driving on a suspended license and open intoxicants after he was involved in a one-car crash last week in Nottawa Township. Sheriff Brad Balk said Chad Ginther was driving east on Butler Road when Ginther crossed the center line, drove off the roadway and his vehicle struck a tree east of North Angling …

A 55-year-old Sturgis man, whose license has been expired since 1987, was arrested after forcing a Michigan State Police trooper to take evasive action from being struck head-on Sunday evening in Mottville Township. The trooper was driving westbound on U.S. 12 when an oncoming vehicle forced him to drive off the roadway. The driver of the eastbound vehicle was stopped …

A hit-and-run incident in Lockport Township was reported to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department shortly before 7 o’clock Saturday night. According to a department media release, a vehicle drove into a garage door at a residence in the 20000 block of Schweitzer Road, then left the scene in an unknown direction. The door incurred heavy damage, while a vehicle …

Debbie (Hart) Luyet, age 50, a young lady who had a true love of travel and a goal of traveling around the world of Prescott, Ariz., and a former Centreville resident, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012, at a hospice residence in Prescott, following a short battle with cancer. She was born July 8, 1962, a daughter of the late Roger …

Duane C. Fenner, 75, passed away Nov. 24, 2012, at Tidewell Hospice in Port Charlotte, Fla. He was born June 19, 1937, in Branch County to Homer Fenner and Eva French Fenner. Duane moved to Port Charlotte from Colon on Oct. 1, 1965. On Sept. 12, 1959, he married Bessie Pesti from Colon. He graduated from Colon High School in …

Brian Paul Presdorf, 43, of Michigan City, Ind., died Jan. 3, 2013, at his residence. He was born on Feb. 19, 1969, in LaGrange, Ind., to Wayne and Cheryl (Marker) Presdorf. He recently worked as a maintenance technician in a paperboard factory in Michigan City, Ind. He is survived by his mother Cheryl (Marker) Voelker and step-father Ron Voelker of …

A citizen’s tip led the Cass County Drug Enforcement Team last week to a Porter Township residence, where marijuana and hashish were discovered. Sheriff Joe Underwood said a report of suspected illegal activity at a residence in the 15000 block of U.S. 12 led detectives to the address around 11:30 a.m. Thursday. After investigators discovered the drugs, 27-year-old Melissa Goodman …

A Three Rivers woman and her two children were treated for injuries after they were involved in a one-car accident over the weekend. Cass County officials said Ginnie Wallace, 40, was driving east on U.S. 12 in Porter Township when she fell asleep and drove into a generator and pole, according to a department media release. The incident occurred at …