St Joseph County

The city of Sturgis has hired Viridis Design Group of Kalamazoo to design, bid and supervise construction of a $2 million Sturgis softball complex that could be completed by September 2017. The largest share of the construction cost is covered by an appropriation from the St. Joseph County delinquent tax revolving fund, which also is underwriting a new sports complex …

Fire inspectors spent the day Wednesday looking for clues related to a blaze that caused extensive damage to a Sturgis residence. Careless smoking was determined to be the apparent cause. Cpt. Cody Cripe of the Sturgis Fire Department said officials were called around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday to a residence in the 300 block of South Clay Street. Upon arrival, Sturgis …

State police this week responded to a hit-and-run incident that involved a vehicle being taken for a test drive in Park Township. Troopers were called around 5 p.m. Tuesday to a residence on Michigan Avenue. Earlier, a 1998 Chevy Blazer being test-driven by two men struck a deer on Michigan Avenue, near North Fisher Lake Road. Investigators said the two …

A day of magic that made a strong debut in 2015 is returning to Colon this weekend. Organized by Colon magician Ron Carnell and presented by Ring 386 of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, “31 Flavors of Magic” promises to deliver a variety of magic sure to appeal to people of all ages, Carnell said. Sixteen performers, seven new shows, …

State police are investigating the theft of various items after a shed was broken into Tuesday in Park Township. Troopers were called around 4 p.m. to the 54000 block of Wilbur Road, where the owner of a shed located next to his residence reported the theft of welding equipment. An acetylene tank, oxygen tank, extra-long hose, welder and cutter attachments …

Three people were arrested Tuesday after investigators from the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit executed a search warrant in Sturgis. Sheriff Brad Balk said SCAN officers received information about a residence in the Quail Run Apartments, which was the location of possible drug activity. After further investigation, officers obtained a search warrant for the residence. Officers located five individuals …

Lockport Township Supervisor Ray Signorello has announced his resignation from the board effective immediately. During Monday’s township board meeting, Signorello said his continued concerns about work-safety issues contributed to the decision. Signorello is a semi-tractor trailer driver and begins work at 1 a.m. daily. He said township-related obligations, including board meetings, often cut into the time he would typically be …

A St. Joseph County man opened the Michigan House session Tuesday as the guest of State Rep. Aaron Miller. Pastor Bill Beck, of Locust Grove Mennonite Church in Burr Oak, opened the session by offering the invocation. State Rep. and Speaker pro-tem Tom Leonard joined Beck and Miller at the House rostrum.

Two men from Arizona were arrested on drug-related offenses following a traffic stop last weekend in Sturgis. Sturgis Police said a patrol officer stopped a semi-tractor trailer around 11:20 p.m. Sunday in the 200 block of North Prospect Street. Police located methamphetamine and heroin, with evidence of intent to distribute, according to a department media release. A 33-year-old man was …

Sheriff’s officials responded to a report of gunshots fired at a Mendon Township business over the weekend. According to a department media release, deputies were called at 2 a.m. Sunday to Cowboy Up in Mendon Township. During their investigation, deputies were told there was an argument between two patrons. The situation escalated to the point where one of the subjects …