Government

Members of the Sturgis Fire Department were dispatched last week to a house fire in the 200 block of North Fourth Street. The blaze was reported at 3:19 p.m. Friday. Firefighters arrived on the scene to discover smoke coming from a two-story residence. Neighbors reported no one was in the home. Fire crews deployed two hose lines and entered the …

An 84-year-old Indiana man is in critical condition after he fell into a Cass County Lake last week. Sheriff’s officials said Paul Schafer, of Bremen, Ind., was in a floating lawn chair shortly after 3 p.m. Thursday on the west side of Diamond Lake. Dispatchers in Cassopolis were asked for assistance in the 61000 block of Lake Street after witnesses …

Authorities say an inmate who killed two bailiffs during a July 11 escape attempt from a southwestern Michigan courthouse wrote a letter to his ex-wife explaining that he was “going on the run” or would “die trying.” Details of the letter by 44-year-old Larry Darnell Gordon, as well as video and audio from courthouse cameras were revealed Friday during a …

Four people were reappointed to the St. Joseph County Commission on Aging Board this week. Members of the county commission voted Tuesday to renew the two-year terms of Margaret Shultz, Jon Withers and Steve Boland. Meanwhile, at-large appointee Joseph “Al” Heivilin was also reappointed, but to a one-year term. Shultz currently serves as chair of the COA board. County commissioner …

Security at St. Joseph County’s historic courthouse and its courts building is in store for a significant enhancement following action this week by the county board of commissioners. The boost will cost more than $500,000 in personnel alone. Undersheriff Mark Lillywhite told commissioners Tuesday quotes regarding several other precautions – including external and internal security cameras, replacing glass and doors, …

A serial home invader who was confronted by an 11-year-old girl with a shotgun in Lapeer County has been sentenced to at least 25 years in prison. James Wasson was sentenced Tuesday for a series of robberies. He owes his victims more than $10,000. Prosecutor Tim Turkelson says Wasson finally was stopped as he tried to flee the county in …

A Colon High School graduate has been named the new executive director of the St. Joseph County Commission on Aging. Tim Stoll, 44, was offered and accepted the position Monday. Stoll replaces Lynn Coursey, who resigned last month after a 13-year reign as the agency’s leader. Stoll, a Sherwood resident, said he was excited to be recruited for the position …

Lockport Township officials have decided to seek a 1.5 mill request in November to support fire and ambulance services. At stake will be an additional mill for fire protection and half a mill for ambulance service. The township’s fire mill is currently 0.6 mills, which expire next year. Meanwhile, ambulance service currently is funded with 1.5 mills. Board members last …

Police are investigating a robbery that occurred last weekend at Dollar General in White Pigeon. The man entered the store around 7 p.m. Sunday and handed the clerk a note, demanding money from the cash register. The clerk complied. He left in a 2004 or ‘05 silver Chevy Malibu with a temporary Indiana plate. Authorities said the suspect is a …

Sheriff’s department deputies were called over the weekend to a location in Mendon Township regarding larceny from several vehicles. The incidents occurred between 6 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Saturday in the 24000 block of Prairie Corners Road. Investigators said suspects entered vehicles near a residence, and stole power tools and money.