Government

About 20 Sturgis-area children had their Christmas season brightened Saturday by officers from Sturgis Police Department and Sturgis firefighters. The “Shop With a Hero” event was made possible in part through a donation by Walmart, according to event organizers. Officers pushed shopping carts while children selected gifts for their family members and themselves.

A Sturgis man was treated for burns and smoke inhalation following a residential fire over the weekend. Sturgis Fire and Rescue units were called at 9 a.m. Saturday to the 200 block of Surprise Street, where a single-family residence was ablaze. An elderly man, identified as the homeowner, was found unconscious inside the residence. He was transported to Sturgis Hospital …

For the tenth consecutive year, members of the Three Rivers Fire Department and Fabius-Park Fire Department will bring holiday spirit and joy to the community with the “Firefighters For Santa” program. Firefighters will be delivering gifts from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday. The program – funded through donations from local businesses including Meijer, Armstrong International, Three Rivers Schools and numerous …

A 23-year-old White Pigeon man was arrested after authorities said he fled from police late Thursday. Justin Criddle was held on two warrants, failure to appear and violation of conditional release. Just before 11 p.m. Thursday, White Pigeon officers attempted to stop a vehicle Criddle was driving for a traffic violation. He stopped the car, then exited and ran from …

State police are investigating the break-in of summer cottages at a lake in Branch County’s Ovid Township. According to a department media release, troopers were called around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday to Longview Drive on East Long Lake. Several residences were entered and items taken included tools, electronics and alcohol. Neighbors told authorities they saw a white van in the area …

A boat launch for non-motorized watercraft was completed this fall in an area at St. Joseph County’s newest park property. Parks and Recreation director Jaymes MacDonald said the handicap-accessible launch was built outside the entrance to Covered Bridge Farm Park, located on the north side of the St. Joseph River, just north of the Langley Covered Bridge. The 120-foot launch …

Opponents and proponents of a proposed multi-field sports complex in the Three Rivers area offered plenty of input Tuesday before a state panel. The State Boundary Commission, a five-member board under the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, staged a public hearing relevant to a 77-acre parcel the city of Three Rivers is attempting to annex from Lockport Township. …

The St. Joseph County Department of Veterans’ Services has received a $5,000 grant from the Michigan Veteran Affairs Agency. Veterans’ Services Director Stoney Summey said the grant will allow the county’s Department of Veterans’ Services to redesign its website to serve as a comprehensive, one-stop resource for local veterans. Once complete, the website will include information and links to resources …

The Michigan Department of Transportation has selected Demetrius Parker to succeed Kimberly Avery as the new MDOT Southwest Region engineer. As the Southwest Region engineer, Parker will be responsible for more than 1,200 miles of state trunkline in Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Van Buren counties. The district features more than 280 employees, a capital program of …

State Sen. John Proos is applauding the Natural Resources Trust Fund board of trustees for including two St. Joseph County development projects among its recommendations for 2017. The trust fund is supported by interest earned on money generated from the development of state-owned mineral rights. Included in the 2017 recommendations is $254,000 to extend the Three Rivers Health Trail. The …