Government

M-66 in Sherman Township was closed for about two hours this week after a semi tractor-trailer lost its load of lumber. Sheriff’s department officials said 51-year-old Bryan Wolfe of Saginaw was driving south on M-66 around 5:40 p.m. Tuesday, when he stopped to avoid a traffic backup near Hackman Road. His load of lumber broke free and crashed through the …

Re-examination of downtown Sturgis traffic patterns prompted by the Moso Village development has resulted in a proposed order, changing North Street to two-way traffic from U.S. 12 to West Hatch Street. The Sturgis City Commission earlier this month approved the direction that would reverse a 2007 decision, which had continued restricting the downtown street to northbound only traffic. Representatives from …

St. Joseph County Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman has sentenced Maria Williams to a maximum of 35 years in prison for the 2014 shooting death of a 33-year-old Burr Oak-area man. Stutesman on Tuesday issued the sentence, stemming from a March 2014 case involving Williams and Dennis Brooks. Williams had been accused of shooting Brooks once in the head during …

During a moment of what he called “end-of-the-year reflection,” commissioner Rick Shaffer during last week’s county commission meeting acknowledged volunteers who comprise a number of boards and commissions. He also proposed some kind of a media spotlight featuring the workings of the various panels. Shaffer said the county has a number of openings on boards and commissions, and a media …

White Pigeon Fire Department and area residents have assured that local families will have a happy holiday. Earlier this month, the agency staged its second “Fill The Fire Truck” event. Residents were encouraged to donate non-perishable food items or drop money in a fire boot. White Pigeon postal carriers also assisted by picking up items left at mailboxes. Also, Central …

St. Joseph County’s 2016 fiscal year budget was passed last week, but not without some concerns from a Florence Township resident. The $16.5 million budget reflects a 2.3 percent decrease from the county’s 2015 adjusted amended budget. Tim Carls criticized the board two weeks earlier during a public hearing on what was then the proposed budget. His concern centered on …

St. Joseph County deputies responded to separate complaints earlier this month; one regarding larcenies from a number of vehicles in Lockport Township, the other involved the theft of two riding mowers in Park Township. On Dec. 11, investigators were called to the area of Timm Road and Lovers Lane after a number of residents reported their vehicles were entered overnight …

Florence Township Supervisor Gordon Evilsizor last week issued a plea to the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners before the five-member panel acted on the county’s 2016 budget Tuesday Appearing for the fifth time in less than three months, Evilsizor once again inquired about an allowance to fix Constantine Road, a north-south route widely considered the worst road in St. …

For the eighth consecutive year, members of the Three Rivers Fire Department will help bring cheer to the community with the Firefighters For Santa program. Lt./paramedic Dave Crampton said firefighters will deliver food and gifts from 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday to various locations in the city. Funded through donations from such local businesses as Meijer and Armstrong International, and …

Thirteen people will be required to attend a show-cause hearing after not appearing Wednesday in accordance with their jury summons from St. Joseph County Circuit Court. The Jan. 8 hearing is meant to send a message that prospective jurors take seriously their obligation to the court system, according to Kathy Griffin, circuit/probate courts administrator. A trial related to a case …