County Information

Crews from Grand Rapids-based Pitsch Companies this week started demolition of the Wood Motel in Sturgis. At $62,000, Pitsch was low bidder for the project authorized by the city commission. Workers estimate it will take about 10 semi-truck loads to haul away debris and that the job, which started Monday, will likely be done by the end of the day …

The St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit concluded a several-month investigation regarding the distribution of methamphetamine. The suspect, Mark Allen Holst, 50, of White Pigeon, was arrested after he was found in possession of more than four ounces of crystal methamphetamine. Investigators said the quantity of drug would have had an approximate street value of $11,500. The SCAN unit then …

Troopers from the Michigan State Police are investigating a break-in earlier this week at Pine View Golf Course. Investigators said the Flowerfield Township business was broken into between 8:30 p.m. Sunday and 7 a.m. Monday. The course’s clubhouse and cart barn were entered but it is not known at this time if anything was stolen.

Organizers of Saturday’s 31st Sturgis Toy Run are calling the event a success, as more than 1,500 toys were collected. Not only were toys and money collected from the 390 riders who took part in the 75-mile procession, but people who attended the Toy Run after-party were required to make a toy and financial contribution. The Toy Run also drew …

A need for a central source of information was the recurring theme expressed during a public-input session Monday in Sturgis to help with the establishment of a river trail master plan. About a dozen people attended and told officials from Edgewater Resources that a website, blog, link through the county’s homepage or some easy-to-track source be established to keep paddlers …

Three people were injured following a two-car accident over the weekend in Cass County. Sheriff’s officials said 18-year-old New Buffalo resident Isaac Grynwich was driving south on Dailey Road in Jefferson Township at 2:25 p.m. Saturday when he failed to yield at the M-60 intersection. Grynwich’s vehicle struck a car driven by 61-year-old Robert Strong of Commerce Township. Grynwich, Strong …

As part of Passport Awareness Month, St. Joseph County Clerk and Register of Deeds Pattie Bender has set up special hours three days later this month to process passport requests. Bender said processing will be available 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday next week and again Sept. 17. A Saturday processing opportunity will be offered 9 to 11 a.m. Sept. 27. …

Five hundred gallons of diesel fuel were stolen on two separate occasions from an irrigation pivot in Fawn River Township. State police said the incidents took place between Aug. 18 and Sept. 2 in a field in the 70000 block of Kime Road. Investigators said they are confident the incident is related to a similar incident that took place in …

A Burr Oak woman was treated for minor injuries after she was involved in a single-vehicle accident last week in Sherman Township. State police said Reva Mullins was driving south on Balk Road at 11:35 a.m. Tuesday when she lost control of her vehicle after driving through loose gravel near Mintdale Road. Mullins’ vehicle traveled off the roadway and overturned …

Two people were injured in a motorcycle accident Wednesday in Constantine Township. Michigan State Police said Gary Purcell, 60, and a passenger, his wife, Patricia, 64, both of Coloma, were riding south on Youngs Prairie Road near Millers Mill Road around 1:30 p.m. Purcell was unable to negotiate a curve and lost control. The motorcycle and its riders traveled across …