Government

Ken Malone and Robert Hile were re-appointed Monday as mayor and vice-mayor for the city of Sturgis. The action took place during the commission’s organizational meeting. In addition, Michael Austermann and Charles Huber were sworn in as city commissioners. Austermann ran unopposed last week for the Precinct 1 seat vacated by David Smith, who announced his retirement from the board …

State police from the Coldwater post are investigating a pair of breaking-and-entering incidents reported last week. At 5 p.m. Nov. 6, troopers responded to a residence in the 71000 block of Harrison Road in Mottville Township, where a residence was burglarized. The homeowner told police a four-wheeler, snow blower, television, gaming system and tools were stolen. On the same day …

A Gator-brand off-road vehicle and a leaf blower were reported stolen last week from a barn at Meyer Broadway Park. State police investigators said the John Deere Gator and Stihl backpack-style leaf blower were taken during the incident, which was reported last Thursday. In a separate but potentially related incident, a chainsaw was reported stolen last Thursday from a logging …

State police investigators are looking into a situation in Florence Township, where a small-caliber rifle was fired at a residence. According to a department media release, the homeowner reported two rounds were fired through a living room window, passed through a wall and into a laundry room. One of the two bullets struck a washing machine, the other was lodged …

The St. Joseph County Council for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect is hosting a pair of parenting workshops later this month. “More 1, 2, 3 Magic” a program for encouraging positive behavior for children ages 2 through 12 years, takes place 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 18. “Winning at Parenting,” for a humorous approach to discipline, is offered 6 …

A paddle boat was reported stolen from a Fishers Lake residence Monday afternoon. State police said the manually powered boat was stolen between Thursday and Monday from a residence in the 14000 block of Lakeshore Drive. The watercraft is made of fiberglass, has two seats and tubes for flotation.

Three Rivers City Commissioner Carolyn McNary was selected as mayor pro-tem for the second consecutive term. The action came during Monday’s organizational and administrative-review meeting, when Mayor Tom Lowry and at-large commissioner Linda Gearhart were sworn in for two-year terms. They fended off challenges during last week’s general election to claim their seats on the board. For Lowry, it starts …

A number of people gathered Friday at Washington Park in Constantine to remember Jodie Parrack on the six-year anniversary of her death. With luminaries displayed around the park, several people in attendance released helium-filled balloons with notes attached, and sky lanterns were also let afloat. The lifeless body of the 11-year-old Parrack was found on Nov. 8, 2007, at Constantine …

A 25-year-old Marcellus man was treated at Three Rivers Health for injuries he sustained in a one-car accident over the weekend in Fabius Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Christopher Laughlin lost control of his vehicle Saturday in the vicinity of Hoffman and Day roads. His vehicle crossed the center line, went off the roadway and struck a …

A Cass County man has entered a plea of guilty but mentally ill to the charge of second-degree murder. Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz said Edward J. Hensley killed his sister, Martha Sexton, in June 2012. Sexton was found stabbed to death in her home in Mason Township. The following month, Hensley was ordered to undergo a forensic examination to …