Government

Members of the Sturgis Planning Commission last week approved a site plan for a proposed four-diamond, adult softball complex. But bids for construction are coming in higher than expected and new ideas are being proposed for expanding the $ 2.1 million project. City Manager Mike Hughes told planning commissioners that Sturgis received only two bids for the project that will …

St. Joseph County commissioners last week approved a grant renewal with the Michigan Department of Corrections. The $175,000 Community Corrections Grant will benefit the county by providing services to enhance jail utilization, reduce the prison commitment rate and impact recidivism, according to terms of the agreement. $70,000 of the grant will be earmarked for the Day Reporting Center, $56,000 to …

State Rep. Aaron Miller was joined in the Capitol rotunda last week by St. Joseph County emergency medical technician Richard Knox, who was his guest for the House of Representatives’ Sept. 11 Memorial Ceremony. First responders and military personnel were invited guests to the special House session, which commemorated the 15-year anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks on America, and …

A $4.7 million, five-year grant from the state was approved by St. Joseph County Commissioners last week. The grant, provided by the Department of Health and Human Services, will provide the St. Joseph County Friend of the Court more than $870,000 during the first year of the grant – commencing Oct. 1 – and increases annually to more than $1 …

A jury comprised of six men and six women found Westly George guilty in the August 2015 murder of Eugene Jackson in Three Rivers. After four hours of deliberations Thursday, jurors returned a guilty verdict on charges of first-degree murder, felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, carrying a concealed weapon and felony firearm. George is …

A pickup was severely damaged last week in Constantine Township after it was struck by an object that became dislodged from a trailer attached to a vehicle in front of it. State police said the incident occurred at 2:45 p.m. Friday on U.S. 131 near Garber Road. The situation unfolded when a light-colored pickup pulling a trailer loaded with wood …

State police are seeking help from the public to track down a Jeep that was stolen last week from Fabius Township. The incident was reported at 4:30 p.m. Friday, when the victim told authorities a 1998 Jeep Cherokee was taken from the 61000 block of Youngman Road. The jeep is light blue and gray and did not have a license …

Two people were arrested on drug-related charges early Thursday in the city of Sturgis. Sheriff’s deputies said an attempt to stop a vehicle at 12:30 a.m. on South Street near Cato Lane resulted in the suspect vehicle crashing into a tree at the intersection. The driver, a 46-year-old Burr Oak man, fled the scene on foot but was apprehended a …

A Three Rivers man was treated for injuries he suffered after the bicycle he was riding was struck by a car this week in Park Township. Sheriff’s officials said James Peter, 64, was taken to Bronson Methodist Hospital following the incident, which occurred Wednesday on Parkville Road, just south of Heimbaugh Road. The driver of the car was 74-year-old Alma …

St. Joseph County’s Central Dispatch wishes to advise that a test of the county’s emergency sirens will be conducted next week. Agency director Dennis Brandenburg said the test is scheduled to take place at noon Sept. 17 and it may consist of more than one activation. Brandenburg is urging residents to not contact 9-1-1 to inquire about the sirens. He …