Government

The man responsible for burning a Sturgis restaurant more than four years ago will be sentenced in St. Joseph County Circuit Court Feb. 7. Nathan Lumbard, 31, will appear before Judge Paul Stutesman after his attorney indicated Monday Lumbard would not ask for a trial and instead keep his pleas of no-contest and guilty. Stutesman said the sentence will be …

A 52-year-old Indiana man was killed in a one-car crash Saturday morning in Cass County. According to Sheriff Joe Underwood Jr., David Wenger was driving west on Calvin Hill Street in Jefferson Township, when he failed to negotiate a curve near North Shore Drive. His vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree, Underwood said. The incident occurred at 8:30 …

St. Joseph County Commissioner Robin Baker said he has been attending township meetings within his district and has been asked about contracting for additional police coverage. During the commission’s committee of the whole meeting Dec. 13, Baker said township officials within his jurisdiction continue to have discussions about the matter. Baker said he is being asked if the sheriff’s department …

Guns and other items were stolen during a breaking-and-entering incident at a residence in Mottville Township this week. State police said the incident occurred in the 6900 block of Mann Road. Details regarding the method of entry were not indicated in a department media release.

A house in Three Rivers was severely damaged by heat and smoke as the result of a fire Sunday afternoon. According to Three Rivers Fire Chief Dan Tomlinson, the residence at 707 7th St., was filled with smoke and fire was emitting from a first-floor window as crews arrived at 5:30 p.m. Nobody was home at the time of the …

Establishment of a revolving-loan fund and the hiring of a new administrator were two major accomplishments by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners this year, its chairman said. John Dobberteen, a Sturgis resident completing his 15th year as a commissioner, said 2013 was a step forward for St. Joseph County government thanks to the creation of the fund and …

St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners has agreed to renew its funding to continue its partnership with MSU Extension for 2014. During last week’s county commission meeting, commissioners agreed to allocate nearly $133,000 for the service. The funding covers salaries and services provided by one full-time and three part-time employees. In addition, the county will continue to provide telephone services …

The St. Joseph County Commission on Aging wishes to remind residents that a survey geared toward the population in the northern region of the county has gone live. As a way to gauge feedback from residents 55 years of age and older, the agency has produced 20,000 copies of the survey. The questionnaires may be found in government buildings, libraries, …

The Sturgis Fire Department was dispatched to an apartment complex fire shortly after 5:30 Sunday morning at Gateway Village. Upon arrival of police and fire personnel, they were advised that an infant was still in the apartment. The 11-month-old girl was rescued, and was later pronounced dead at Sturgis Hospital. The fire reportedly started in the parent’s bedroom who awoke …

A 27-year-old man, whose name and community of residence was not disclosed, was charged with assault and battery Monday. The man was arrested by Three Rivers police after its officers responded to a situation on West Street. Time of the incident was not included in a department media release.