County Information

Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education will have five seats on the November election ballot. There are three six-year terms, one four-year term and one two-year term. Information for anyone interested in seeking a position is available at the superintendent’s office or by calling 659-1502. To be eligible to run for a school board position, a person must be a …

Three Rivers Police Det. Mike Mohney said the department is looking for a person who is believed to be voluntarily missing. According to a department media release, the agency is seeking the location of Justin Berg, a 45-year-old white man who was last seen around 5 p.m. a week ago. Berg’s cell phone was found Thursday under a St. Joseph …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department has announced its 2016 schedule for boater safety classes. Four classes are scheduled and attendance at only one is required to receive certification. The dates and locations are June 4 at the Colon Township Fire Hall; and June 11, 18 and 25 at the sheriff’s department. Each class runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., …

A lawn mower was reported stolen last week from a residence in Leonidas Township. State police said the incident occurred between 8 p.m. Wednesday and 12:30 p.m. Thursday in the 32000 block of M-60. The tractor, a 2016 John Deere zero-turn commercial mower, and a 12-by-7-foot utility trailer were stolen from a barn that was accessed through forced entry.

Sturgis City Manager Michael Hughes had good news last week regarding the vandalism to Oak Lawn Cemetery. He said Patten Michigan Monument Company of Sturgis is helping to restore headstones damaged over the weekend of April 2-3. Suspects remain unidentified in the vandalism that damaged more than 30 headstones. The loss was estimated at more than $50,000. Hughes said repairs …

The Michigan Court of Appeals upheld the murder conviction of Andy Brown in the 2013 shooting death of Sturgis CPA David Locey. The court released a 16-page opinion Wednesday, denying Brown a new trial. Brown is serving a maximum of 75 years in prison for second-degree murder and use of a firearm during the commission of a felony. He was …

Officials from the village of Burr Oak have agreed to dissolve the community’s police department and contract protection through the St. Joseph County Sheriff ’s Department. During a special meeting Wednesday, village council members went into closed session, where they met with chief Cynthia Miller. After the closed session, a motion was made to accept the sheriff department’s contract and, …

A $50,000 blight-elimination grant from the state and nearly $14,000 in Sturgis city funding will pay to demolish three deteriorated, single-family homes this year. The properties, located at 103 St. Joseph St., 116 S. Orange St. and 303 S. Fourth St., have structural issues that officials said represent safety hazards and negatively affect neighborhood property values. Fire damage and lack …

David Vago, who was offered the job of executive director of the Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority/Michigan Main Street, informed officials he will accept the post. Currently a California resident, Vago will begin the job June 6. Vago is a farm technician at East Bay Regional Park District in Oakland. He will be paid a $42,000 annual salary for the …

A Sturgis woman has died as the result of a car-pedestrian accident Wednesday evening at the intersection of South Centreville and Fawn River Roads. The victim was identified as 20-year-old Michal Webb. She was reportedly walking her dog when she was struck by the car, which was driven by a 25-year-old female from Howe, Indiana. The dog was killed in the …