St Joseph County

A 59-year-old woman was forced from her SUV late Wednesday night outside the Sturgis Walmart. Police said the woman told them a black man, in his late 20s or early 30s, dragged her from her vehicle as she was entering the gray 2004 Chevy Trailblazer. The vehicle was last seen heading north on South Centerville Road. The vehicle has a …

Members of the Tri-Township Fire Department welcomed the addition of its new truck Tuesday. Chief Max Kulpinski said the 2009 International was purchased by Fawn River, Sturgis and Sherman townships for $200,000. Another $15,000 was spent to detail, customize and letter the rig. Because the vehicle had been a lifelong demonstration truck, all of its 2,200 miles were recorded to …

Members of the White Pigeon Community Schools Board of Education were presented a list of priorities to address if an impending millage renewal is approved. Eric Hackman, from Kalamazoo-based engineering and architecture firm Tower Pinkster Titus Associates Inc., told board members Wednesday that infrastructure-related work at Central Elementary School should take place first. The potential work is contingent on a …

  State Rep. Matt Lori issued a statement following Wednesday’s State of the State speech by Gov. Rock Snyder. Lori, whose jurisdiction includes St. Joseph County, said he was encouraged to hear Snyder put an emphasis on improving public safety in Michigan. As a former sheriff, Lori said he understands the importance of reducing crime in Michigan’s largest cities to …

  St. Joseph County’s search for an interim finance director may lead it to someone who has retired from the position in a different county. Though the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners did not discuss the matter during its bi-monthly meeting Tuesday, minutes from the commission’s executive committee meeting show a suggestion was made to consider finding a recently …

The Animal Rescue Fund of St. Joseph County recently announced winners of its Pet Food Drive event, which started Dec. 1 and concluded Dec. 24. Entry into the random drawing was made by purchasing dog or cat food at the TSC store in Three Rivers during the 24-day period. Sturgis residents Larry and Lea Stenli were awarded first prize, a …

Three Rivers Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners on Tuesday unanimously agreed to issue an Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption Certificate to American Axle Manufacturing. The measure means the Detroit-based company will continue with its $102 million investment in its Three Rivers plant, where expansion will include a line to create components for a passenger/crossover vehicle being developed and introduced by a …

  Sturgis Public Schools was the recipient of a $37,000 gift from the estate of Winifred Chipman. The donation was made in 1994 and pledged at the time to the Sturgis Community Schools Council. The council no longer exists, so district officials agreed to have the money split three ways, with nearly $14,900 each going to Sturgis Public Schools and …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has issued a press release indicating a potential increase in reports of bedbugs. The agency said bedbugs typically attach themselves to luggage, clothing or other items, and the means of transportation help them travel from a warmer climate into a colder host site. Bedbugs are not known to carry diseases, but they can be …

Sheriff Brad Balk reports that the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department responded to a complaint of a breaking and entering of the Nottawa Township Library between 1 p.m. Sunday and 8.30 a.m. Monday. According to a department news release, suspects made entry from the rear of the building by smashing a window. Investigators found that a web camera and four …