Government

Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates in November declined in 14 of Michigan’s 17 major labor market regions. According to the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget, jobless rates increased seasonally in the states three northern most labor market regions. Total employment rose in most areas over the month, while labor force levels declined seasonally in the majority of regions. Spokesman …

St. Joseph County Sheriff Brad Balk has lifted the SNOW EMERGENCY for St Joseph County, MI. Travel is suggested to be of a necessity only. Do not try to travel down a road that is drifted shut. Use extreme caution if you have to be out.

Michigan State Police were called to a one-vehicle crash Thursday morning in Sherman Township. Investigators said 20-year-old Daniel Ryan of Colon was driving south on Shimmel Road when his vehicle slid on ice, left the roadway and struck a utility pole. The incident occurred south of Banker Road. Passengers Amber Dils and Brandy Kitchen, both 18-year-old Sturgis residents, were treated …

Sturgis municipal officials have has declared a city-wide, snow-removal emergency. A  forecast calling for heavy snow and strong winds prompted the declaration, city leaders said. By ordinance, parking is prohibited on all city streets during a snow-removal emergency. Any vehicle parked in violation is subject to being towed at the owner’s expense. The parking prohibition is effective until the snow …

The city of Sturgis has announced its ice rink is open for the season. Open-skating hours are noon to dusk Sunday through Thursday, and noon to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Open hockey is available 8 a.m. to noon seven days a week.

Three people were treated for injuries suffered in a one-vehicle accident earlier this week in Constantine Township. St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department officials said 30-year-old Kristina Steele told investigators she fell asleep Monday while driving north in the 10300 block of North River Road. The vehicle went off the roadway, injuring passengers Cory Hughey of Three Rivers and Bryan Cook …

The Sturgis Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire early Wednesday at 204 North Centreville Road. All occupants were outside the home when firefighters arrived, with flames and heavy smoke in the front half of the residence. The structure appears to be a total loss due to heavy heat, smoke, and water damage. The cause of the fire is …

The parents of a 12-year-old boy who died following a southwestern Michigan crash where his 14-year-old friend was behind the wheel say the two had had sneaked out in the middle of the night for a joy ride. The Cass County sheriff’s department says the 14-year-old boy was speeding along a snow-slicked road about 2 a.m. Tuesday in Milton Township …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff Department investigated a breaking-and-entering incident earlier this month in Colon Township. According to a department media release, a residence and pole barn in the 29000 block of Spring Creek Road were burglarized. The break-in occurred between 7 p.m. Dec. 19 and 1 p.m. Dec. 20. The victim told police numerous power tools were taken.

Sturgis Police attempted to stop a black Jeep in the 400 block of North Lakeview late Sunday morning for a driver’s license violation. The driver of the Jeep refused to stop and police pursued the vehicle to the area of Glen Oaks Community College on Shimmel Road. There, the driver of the Jeep drove off of the roadway to the …