County Information

A Three Rivers man on probation was arrested last week after stealing a car. Three Rivers police were called Tuesday morning to River Trail Apartments in response to a vehicle stolen as it was unattended and left running. It was recovered later in the evening on the shoulder of U.S. 131 in Allegan County. The 18-year-old suspect was found near …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department handled three separate larceny incidents in the southwest quadrant of the county last week. Deputies were notified Thursday that a golf cart was stolen from a garage in the 11000 block of Riverside Drive in Mottville Township. Central dispatch fielded a call from a resident in the 69000 block of Kalamazoo Street in White …

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the city of Sturgis have announced a crowdfunding campaign through the website Patronicity. The campaign will support the project to revitalize Old Depot Park and transform it into a dog park, called Sturgis Bark Park. If the campaign reaches the goal of $12,000 by April 4, the project will receive a matching grant funded …

An embezzlement case involving a Sturgis woman and Sturgis Youth Soccer Organization came to a conclusion recently in St. Joseph County Circuit Court. Tammy Cain was sentenced to time served of one day, and placed on probation for 24 months. As part of a plea agreement, Cain agreed to pay the organization $15,000 in restitution by her Feb. 10 sentencing, …

State police are investigating a recent fraud incident at the Speedway gas station at the corner of U.S. 131 and U.S. 12 in Mottville Township. Troopers were informed an older man using the name Steven Hill had falsely returned more than $100 worth of items to the business. The suspect told the cashier he had already spoken to a manager …

Constantine Village Manager Mark Honeysett during last month’s village council meeting provided an update on a downtown development. Honeysett said Darius Jusaitis, who purchased six buildings on Water and South Washington streets in 2015, is moving forward with renovations on the properties. Jusaitis had received a MSHDA community-development block grant for more than $470,000. The project’s cost is estimated at …

A Sturgis business took a critical step last month toward seeking a break on its future property taxes for a proposed $1.9 million investment in building expansion and new equipment. Pete Stemen, owner of Michigan Tool Works, said the tool-and-die company plans to expand its 651 Wade St. facility, retaining 17 jobs and adding two new positions. According to a …

A St. Joseph County community was one of 15 entities across the state to be awarded a grant from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority through its HOME Investment Partnerships Program. Sturgis Neighborhood Program received $150,000 for its plan to complete two projects within the city, according to the Lansing-based agency. The grants are provided as a means of allowing …

A security precaution at the St. Joseph County Courthouse will go into effect in April, resulting in a full ban on cellphones in the courts building as well as the historic courthouse. Sheriff’s department Sgt. Don Heath told commissioners during Wednesday’s executive committee meeting that the single-entrance measure is about a month from being introduced. Once the single entrance is …

The organizer of a fundraiser to benefit the Animal Rescue Fund of St. Joseph County said nearly $1,200 was raised during the one-day event in Colon. Paula Alexander Livermore said “Yoga For A Cause” took place Saturday at her Colon yoga studio with 20 participants. Together, they raised $1,182 for the organization. She hailed the event as a success and …