Government

The Sturgis Electric Department this week implemented a new, interactive-voice-response system. The IVR system will allow customers to report power outages by calling 659-7255, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The automated system will identify the calling phone number and immediately report the address associated with that number to the electric department. That will allow technicians to find …

A ceremonial groundbreaking in White Pigeon took place Wednesday to welcome an RV manufacturer expected to hire about 400 people over the next three years. Several local and regional dignitaries were on hand for the event, staged to recognize Forest River Manufacturing and its plans to construct three 100,000-square-foot buildings to serve as production centers. The foundation for the first …

A 44-year-old Dowagiac man was arraigned Wednesday on charges of murder and assault with intent to commit murder following an incident Tuesday night in Cass County. According to Sheriff Joe Underwood, Terry Ray Stineback was arrested shortly after police arrived to the scene of the shooting, a location on Flanders Street in Wayne Township. Upon investigation, police found Stineback allegedly …

Sturgis has been selected as one of two Michigan cities to host the 2015 Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities conference, hosted by Michigan State University Extension. The CEC conference is aimed at people interested in fostering entrepreneurial spirit in their communities. Attendees share ideas and learn from others ways to make their communities more entrepreneurial friendly, according to city manager Mike Hughes. …

Constantine Fire Chief Mike Haydon has received bids for a new fire department pumper-tanker. Haydon last week told village council members he has received bids of nearly $318,000 from Halt/Pierce Inc. and more than $285,000 from Rosenbauer for the purchase. Haydon said there is a 20- to 25-year life expectancy for the truck and its purchase comes with financing as …

Fair Housing Center of Southwest Michigan will not launch an investigation of Sturgis city zoning ordinances following the city’s rejection of a rental duplex for homeless individuals sought by Keystone Place. Bob Ells, executive director of the nine-county FHC, said FHC officials recently met with city representatives to review the Sturgis Planning Commission’s mid-March decision and FHC has no plans …

Cass County Sheriff Joseph Underwood Jr. reports that his office is investigating a homicide on Flanders Street in Wayne Township, which is east of the City of Dowagiac. Cass County Central Dispatch received a 9-1-1 call from a residence at 24639 Flanders Street at approximately 9:39pm Tuesday. The caller advised that there were shots fired in the residence and there …

A Mendon Township woman who heads the St. Joseph County Conservation District Board has called her four-day, 60-mile walk around St. Joseph County a success. Carol Higgins, who embarked Wednesday on the journey and finished Saturday at Colon Community Park, said she staged the event to bring awareness and potential funding to local conservation causes spearheaded by the Centreville-based agency. …

State police officials arrested a man connected to a case involving breaking-and-entering incidents and the theft of a motor vehicle in Leonidas Township. Troopers said breaking-and-entering incidents between midnight and 9 a.m. Saturday were reported in Branch County’s Sherwood Township as well as locations along Shorts Road and Factoryville Road in Leonidas Township. A minivan was reported stolen from one …

The mother of three Michigan boys missing since Thanksgiving 2010 says she now believes they’re dead.  Tanya Zuvers says she’s hanging on to a sliver of hope but she’s almost certain they’re dead.  The boys were last seen at their father’s home in Morenci, near the Michigan-Ohio border. Tanner Skelton was 5, Alexander Skelton was 7 and Andrew Skelton was …