County Information

State police are probing the recent break-in of a residence in Park Township. Investigators were called last month to a home at the intersection of Heimbach and Buckhorn roads. The owner said electronics and televisions were stolen within a 75-minute span June 16. Access was gained through forced entry.

State Rep. Aaron Miller, who serves as chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State Police, has issued a statement in response to Gov. Rick Snyder signing the state’s budget for the coming fiscal year. Miller said the Legislature has again produced a budget that invests in areas important to Michigan families – roads and bridges, education, public safety and …

St. Joseph County deputies are investigating the theft of two Kayaks from Lennon Road in Nottawa Township. One is a 10-foot Sundolphin, lime green in color. The second was a 10 1/2-foot Perception Sport, faded green in color. Both are sit-in models. The incident was reported June 26 and took place at a residence in the 60000 block of Lennon …

The city of Sturgis has identified areas targeted for its road and sidewalk improvements this summer. The locations are: Cottage Street, from South Nottawa to South Lakeview; Walker Street, from South Fourth to South Lakeview; Forest Avenue, from South Centerville to Prairie; White Street, from West South to the south driveway access to the Meijer store; Congress Street, from South …

Constantine resident Rebecca Shank, who lives at 385 S. Washington St., was presented with the Meek’s Mill Garden Club’s Community Beautification Award for June. Shank, who has lived in the house for two years, refinished the original oak hardwood floors and has done extensive electrical and plumbing upgrades. Work now centers on a rec room in the basement. Shank’s home …

Two area communities will celebrate Independence Day with parades and other related fanfare. The 4th of July in Colon will be celebrated Monday with activities split between downtown on Blackstone Avenue and further west at Colon Community Park. The holiday parade starts at 11 a.m. Meanwhile, the Colon Historical Museum will be open 1 to 3 p.m. Also, a variety …

The cost for hot lunch in Sturgis Public Schools is going up. Business manager Ray Sterling said the district is required to raise lunch prices due to the Federal Paid Lunch Equity Program. The district next year plans to raise prices the minimum amount required, which is 5 cents per lunch. That makes the price at the high school, middle …

Sturgis Township’s contracted zoning administrator is recommending adoption of the International Property Maintenance Code. Randy Schmeling recently told the Sturgis Township Planning Commission that the rules would give township officials more tools to address structurally compromised homes and buildings. Ultimately, he said, the measure is geared more toward making a structure safe. Examples he referenced include structures open to animals, …

Constantine Village Council members recently discussed a request by residents Charlie and Beth Cauffman to keep six so-called urban chickens in their yard. Charlie Cauffman told the commission chickens help control the bug population and there is an additional benefit from the eggs the chickens produce. Village manager Mark Honeysett reminded the council he once had to send a letter …

A graduation party June 18 in the Sturgis area is suspected of being the source of foodborne illness that affected six people. According to Steve Andriaachi, environmental health officer for Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency, a member of the family with food-service background catered the party. There has not yet been a laboratory report completed to determine what caused the …