Government

Sturgis city manager Mike Hughes said the municipality has been rated a “Five-Star Community” for the second consecutive year for its positive entrepreneurial climate. In addition to receiving the five-star designation, which is the highest ranking awarded, the city also received recognition as a 2013 “Best Practice Community.” The city is one of only eight communities in the state to …

The Michigan Department of Transportation has identified two bridges in St. Joseph County that will be replaced in the coming year. Spans over the Rocky River on Floating Bridge Road and Pulver Road, both in Flowerfield Township, will be dismantled and replaced in 2014. The tasks were made official when members of the St. Joseph County Road Commission Board recently …

Members of the Fabius and Park townships fire boards have agreed to fund a second-shift staff member. The boards agreed earlier this month to man its station from 3 to 11 p.m. in hopes of reducing response times. The cost is expected to be shy of $40,000, but officials from both townships noted several money-saving steps undertaken by the fire …

The village of Centreville is expected to have its own police department in place starting in mid-February. Village officials  have voted to not renew a contract with the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department and will instead oversee its own law-enforcement agency. The county had been providing police coverage since the 1990s, but Centreville village officials agreed it would be cheaper …

The Coldwater Post of the Michigan State Police will soon have a new canine unit on staff. Trooper Jereme Miller and his German shepherd, Dakota, will begin their service after the new year. The Coldwater post services the White Pigeon detachment. Miller and Dakota are one of 49 canine teams with the state police. They recently completed a 14-week training …

The cause of a weekend fire that killed an 11-month-old girl remains under investigation by authorities from the Michigan State Police and the Sturgis Fire Department. No new details were available Tuesday regarding the Sunday morning fire at the Gateway Court apartment where an 11-month-old girl perished as a result of the blaze. The fire started in the master bedroom …

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.