St Joseph County

Wednesday’s snowfall was substantial enough to begin the 2013 White Pigeon Snowman-Building contest. Event organizers said if conditions don’t change too drastically, the competition will continue through next week. Judging will take place through photos emailed to box_art@hotmail.com. White Pigeon Village Trustee Shireen Cline, who has been a key organizer of the event, said a number of categories exist and …

Deputy Sgt. Geoffrey Smith of the Sturgis Police Department and deputy fire chief Andrew Strudwick have announced the city’s fire department has improved its ISO rating from a Class 6 to a Class 4. In a recent presentation before members of the city commission, Smith and Strudwick said the Class 4 status makes the Sturgis Fire Department one of 87 …

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners Chairman Rick Shaffer compiled a list of 2012 accomplishments and noteworthy tidbits relevant to county-related matters. During last week’s final county commission meeting of the year, Shaffer reviewed a list of 31 items he noted as highlights. Shaffer also added he appreciates the work his fellow commissioners put in in 2012. The list of …

A 46-year-old man was arrested early Wednesday on drug-related charges following a traffic stop in Burr Oak. The man, whose name was not released, was stopped at 3 a.m. at Burr Wood Drive and found to be under the influence of alcohol and driving on a suspended license. Upon further investigation, deputies found an undisclosed amount of marijuana and a …

Students in Glen Oaks Community College’s Electrical Technologies program are better able to gain hands-on experience with a supply of donated equipment thanks to Armstrong International. Thirteen skids of materials, including pumps, controller motors and parts, were delivered to the college last week. The equipment is the nuts and bolts of what is used in boiler systems, according to Charles …

A rare ceremony will take place Friday at the St. Joseph County Courthouse, where a dual swearing-in ceremony will take place for the incoming judges of probate and district courts. The 2 p.m. ceremony will feature traditional pomp and circumstance typically accompanying the swearing-in of new judges. On Jan. 1, David Tomlinson will begin his six-year tenure as probate judge …

The Sturgis City Commission last week adopted the focus areas and goals for Sturgis 2022. The two focus areas – A Great Place to Do Business and A Community of Choice – have nine total goals which cover many of the areas presented during our feedback process this summer. Among those goals are declarations such as Sturgis will be: A …

A Cass County woman was listed in serious condition after she was struck by a vehicle driven by a Constantine resident Monday. According to the Cass County Sheriff’s Department, 42-year-old Lori Wilkes was injured following the incident on U.S. 12 near Union Road, east of Edwardsburg. The report said Wilkes was walking in the roadway when she was struck by …

Local organizations supporting arts and cultural events in Sturgis could benefit from a so-called “round-up” program being mulled by municipal officials. Discussed in 2011 and raised again earlier this month, the round-up idea would give Sturgis residents the option of increasing to the nearest dollar their future utility bills. The difference between the bill’s balance and nearest dollar would benefit …

More than 200 families in and around Three Rivers benefitted from an annual Lions Club event Saturday. Food baskets and toys were sorted, packaged and delivered to families serviced by the county’s Department of Human Services, which provided names and family-member information about prospective recipients. Three Rivers Lions Club members and other volunteers, including the Three Rivers Lady Cats varsity …