St Joseph County

St. Joseph County authorities continue to investigate the death of a man whose body was found along a road early Monday in Florence Township. St. Joseph County Sheriff’s deputies were called around 4 a.m. to Klinger Lake Road, just north of Mintdale Road, where deputies found the body of an unidentified man. Investigators remained at the scene until late morning …

Glen Oaks Community College announced last week it has entered into a partnership with Michigan State University to offer an Associate of Applied Science in Business degree with a concentration in Agricultural Operations. The partnership allows students to earn a certificate from the MSU Institute of Agricultural Technology while working toward an associate’s degree from Glen Oaks. The agreement, according …

Sturgis city commissioners recently voted to repeal Michigan’s Fireworks Safety Act, saying the 2011 law took away local government’s ability to regulate consumer fireworks. The law liberalized fireworks sales in the state and limited local governments’ oversight authority. Following the latest July 4 holiday, commissioners had complained about widespread use of loud pyrotechnics in Sturgis neighborhoods, claiming it created a …

The July unemployment rate in St. Joseph County increased by nine-tenths of a percent compared to a month earlier. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 5.6 percent July unemployment rate was higher than June’s 4.7 percent. July’s unemployment rate, however, was 1.5 percent less than the same month one …

About 100 people attended Friday’s third annual Local Food Dinner event, staged at St. Joseph County Fairgrounds. Sponsored by St. Joseph County Conservation District, the $20-per-person event featured food products either grown or produced in St. Joseph County. Carol Higgins, chair of the conservation district board, said she is encouraged that Local Food Dinner has potential to become an even …

Glen Oaks Community College announced last week it has entered into a partnership with Goshen College to bring its Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program to the Centreville campus. Glen Oaks president David Devier said the demand for the nursing workforce to hold a bachelor’s degree continues to grow. The Goshen College RN to BSN program is …

Electronic items were stolen from a Colon Township residence last week. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department was called Friday to the 54000 block of Correll Road in response to the daytime incident. The victim told investigators he was gone for a 90-minute period and during that time, someone forced entry by kicking in a door to the residence.

A truck-accessories manufacturing firm has received a 50 percent property tax break on a $330,600 expansion investment expected to create five new jobs and retain 25 others. Approved last week by the Sturgis City Commission, the 12-year incentive was offered to Unique Truck Accessories. It is constructing a 10,800-square-foot expansion at 1000 N. Clay St. to increase its manufacturing volume …

A Marcellus man was injured after the motorcycle he was driving struck a parked car in downtown Marcellus this week. Cass County Sheriff’s Department officials said Ronald Mikel, 50, was driving east on Main Street shortly after 12:30 a.m. Thursday, when he became distracted and the motorcycle swerved to the right. As a result, it hit a parked car, causing …

The Michigan National Guard has announced it plans to close the Sturgis Armory in an effort to downsize its statewide footprint. City manager Mike Hughes said he was recently notified of the planned closing through a letter from Michigan National Guard Brig. Gen. Michael Stone. No date was announced, but Hughes said he expects the closure to occur relatively soon. …