Government

A 19-year-old Sturgis-area man was airlifted to Bronson Methodist Hospital Wednesday following a one-car crash. Police said Adam Bontrager was driving west on Lafayette street around 2 p.m. when the car he was driving left the road and struck a tree. Witnesses told police that Brontrager was driving at a high rate of speed. The vehicle left the road near …

Sturgis City Manager Mike Hughes said he has withdrawn his candidacy for the position of city manager of Portage. The 40-year-old Hughes was one of three finalists chosen last month from a pool of five candidates for the Portage job. After further consideration, Hughes said he and his family have decided they would prefer to stay in Sturgis. Hughes, who …

Deputies from the St Joseph County Sheriff’s Office investigated a breaking-and-entering incident earlier this week in Leonidas Township. Police were called at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday to the 31000 block of Covey Road. The victim told police someone used a tool to pry off the lock to a garage. Items stolen included a riding lawn mower and a 300-piece craftsman socket …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has granted approval to Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman to re-apply for a state grant. During action at last week’s commission meeting, Stutesman sought permission to pursue a grant worth in excess of $280,000 for the Swift and Sure Sanctions Probation program. The program is already in place and received high praise from …

Two duck hunters were rescued from the St. Joseph River Sunday morning in Lockport Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said the two were duck hunting with a 12-year-old boy shortly before 7 a.m. in the 62000 block of Constantine Road in Lockport Township. Deputies were called to assist with the two men, who were unable to free themselves …

St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners has reached an employment agreement with the county’s finance director. During last week’s commission meeting, the board and Joni Smith signed a one-year contract retroactive to Oct. 1. The contract reflects compensation for a number of additional duties Smith has been delegated in the past two years. Those responsibilities include budget preparation and managing …

The Sturgis City Commission last week approved three design-task orders for 2015 street projects. The orders allow the city to get a head start on completing preliminary design, final design and bidding phases for each project this winter, in preparation for street work next spring. The city street repairs were approved for West Dresser Drive and Congress Street, and milling …

State police are continuing their investigation into a motorcyclist wanted for fleeing and eluding. According to a department media release, a trooper on patrol attempted to pull over the motorcyclist for an equipment violation Friday night on Crooked Creek Road in White Pigeon Township. The suspect continued north at a high rate of speed but lost control north of U.S. …

The latest PowerPoint presentation regarding the St. Joseph County River Trail master plan is now available on the county’s website. County officials said the presentation, shown at four community meetings over the past six weeks, is a part of the master plan for what is expected to be an official river trail. The concept originated with the St. Joseph County …

A house in Sturgis was severely damaged was after it caught fire Sunday night. Details about the fire, in the 1000 block of Wilson Street, were limited, but the blaze appeared to have started around 11 p.m. in the garage. Two people and a dog were safely taken from the residence. One resident was taken to Sturgis Hospital for treatment …