Government

Five high school varsity basketball players in southwestern Michigan have been charged in connection with reported sexual assaults involving an underage female schoolmate. The boys — ages 18 and 17 — attend South Haven High School and are charged as adults. They were arraigned Tuesday on third-degree criminal sexual conduct and released on bond. A probable cause conference is scheduled …

State police are investigating a recent fraud incident at the Speedway gas station at the corner of U.S. 131 and U.S. 12 in Mottville Township. Troopers were informed an older man using the name Steven Hill had falsely returned more than $100 worth of items to the business. The suspect told the cashier he had already spoken to a manager …

Constantine Village Manager Mark Honeysett during last month’s village council meeting provided an update on a downtown development. Honeysett said Darius Jusaitis, who purchased six buildings on Water and South Washington streets in 2015, is moving forward with renovations on the properties. Jusaitis had received a MSHDA community-development block grant for more than $470,000. The project’s cost is estimated at …

A Sturgis business took a critical step last month toward seeking a break on its future property taxes for a proposed $1.9 million investment in building expansion and new equipment. Pete Stemen, owner of Michigan Tool Works, said the tool-and-die company plans to expand its 651 Wade St. facility, retaining 17 jobs and adding two new positions. According to a …

Colon village president Diane Downs said a search committee charged with hiring a village manager will assemble as soon as possible to begin the process of interviewing two finalists. Fourteen résumés were turned in by the late January deadline and Downs said she reviewed them all. Eventually, the list was narrowed to three. One of the three, however, subsequently accepted …

An increase in calls for service and the savings of regional operations will result in a reduced subsidy cost for St. Joseph County governmental units that contract with LifeCare Ambulance. Sturgis Township last month became the first of 12 local jurisdictions to sign a new four-year contract with LifeCare Ambulance for emergency medical response. According to Mike Bobalik, Sturgis Township …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the theft of a vehicle earlier this week in Mendon Township. Deputies were called shortly after 8 a.m. Monday to the 26000 block of M-60 in regards to the theft of a black, 1995 Ford F-150 pickup. Its license plate identification is DLA4333.

State police are investigating the theft of a four-wheeler earlier this week from a location in Mottville Township. Troopers were called at 4 p.m. Sunday to the 69000 block of Blue School Road in response to the breaking-and-entering of a barn. Upon arrival, troopers were told the incident occurred between Feb. 18 and Sunday morning. The victim told authorities the …

Two people, including a 4-year-old boy, died in a single-vehicle accident Sunday morning in Cass County’s Silver Creek Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly after 3 a.m. to School Street, near Tice Avenue, where a car driven by 21-year-old Jordan White of Dowagiac left the roadway and struck several trees. Investigators said it appears White was driving …

A Sturgis residence sustained smoke and water damage following a fire around 7 p.m. Saturday. Crews were dispatched to the 200 block of North Fourth Street following a report of an upstairs bedroom on fire. Sturgis Police confirmed the presence of smoke from the area in question. Firefighters were advised upon arrival that all occupants had evacuated the residence. A …