St Joseph County

A 36-year-old Sturgis man was charged with drug-related offenses after he was found passed out in a vehicle last week in Mendon Township. State police were called shortly after 8 p.m. Tuesday to the area of M-60 and Silver Street in response to a report of a suspicious vehicle parked in a cornfield. Upon arrival, troopers observed the man unresponsive …

A jury trial on criminal-sexual-conduct charges against a former Centreville Public Schools teacher has been postponed again, this time due to the death of a family member of a case investigator. Jury selection had been scheduled to begin earlier this month in the case of Terry Miller, 47, a former Centreville junior high and high school teacher initially charged in …

More than a month after the Sturgis community was jarred by vandalism at Franks mausoleum at Oak Lawn Cemetery, Sturgis police are continuing their investigation into the case. Meanwhile, former Sturgis City Commission member Rob Sisson, who has expressed outrage about the incident, said someone “tried to send a message” to him with a lawn sign, but it was placed …

The Sturgis Area Community Foundation recently completed its 2016 competitive grant program. The following organizations received grants: Sturgis Helping Hands, $2,500, to assist with the Helping Hands Backpack program; Mixed Martial Arts/ Doyle Community Center, $3,740, for program support; Domestic and Sexual Abuse Services, $1,500, to assist with a Sexual Assault Awareness Community Forum; city of Sturgis, $35,000, for Spence …

The St. Joseph County Road Commission is encouraging residents to shake their mailboxes this month. Agency manager Chris Minger said a mailbox post over the years can rot or become wobbly. The annual shaking test is a solid way of determining whether a mailbox is secure and its post strong. The test is suggested to ensure mailboxes and posts are …

The Salvation Army is still in need of volunteers willing to man kettles at collection sites. Service clubs, churches, youth groups and students in need of volunteer hours are encouraged to consider partaking in the bell-ringing duty. In St. Joseph County, the need for bell-ringers is especially great in Colon, Centreville, Sturgis, Three Rivers and White Pigeon. Prospective participants are …

After five years, someone other than Ken Malone will serve as leader of Sturgis City Commission meetings. Robert Hile, 59, was named mayor after serving five years as vice-mayor under Malone. Hile said he and Malone had discussed a change in leadership a year ago. Meanwhile, Jon Good, at-large commissioner, was appointed vice mayor in a 6-3 vote over Mark …

The Constantine Area Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Sturgis Area Community Foundation, recently awarded its fall grants. Recipients included Constantine Middle School Peer Mentoring, presented to Shannon Underwood; Children’s Concerns of St. Joseph County body safety awareness class, represented by Jill Bobalik and Jill Modert; Youth for Christ Inc., Southwest Michigan and Campus Life of Constantine, received by Ken …

Automotive tools and antique firearms were taken from a residence in Park Township this week. State police said the breaking-and-entering incident occurred Monday in the 20000 block of M-60. The incident took place during a two-week period when the homeowners were out of town, according to authorities.

Pregnancy Helpline of St. Joseph County recently purchased an ultrasound with funds it was provided through donations. More than $16,000 was given thanks in part to the Knights of Columbus Council 2508 of Sturgis. During a dedication program last month at Christian Fellowship Center Church in Sturgis, Pregnancy Helpline director Carol Stuckey said the ultrasound will allow it to provide …