Government

State Rep. Matt Lori has announced the Sturgis Neighborhood Program will receive a $30,000 grant from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. The grant, from the Housing Resource Fund, will be used to support general operating expenses of the organization, which serves residents of the city of Sturgis and the surrounding area. Lori said the Sturgis Neighborhood Program serves to …

The Cass County Drug Enforcement Team last week uncovered a comprehensive marijuana-growing operation in Penn Township. Investigators on Wednesday searched a barn in the 16000 block of Dutch Settlement Road and surrounding property and uncovered the operation. Detectives located numerous marijuana plants, more than five pounds of processed marijuana and a loaded firearm. Officials said the estimated street value of …

A number of the 300-plus patrons who attended Wednesday’s eighth annual Project Connect in Centreville appeared focused on their needs, and spent less time browsing and more time at specific tables for the exact help that brought them to the event. Organizers of the six-hour event said 49 vendors, representing various agencies and departments to offer help for a variety …

State Rep. Matt Lori is urging a state Senate panel to consider legislation that will enable hunters to safely use rifles when hunting in southern Michigan. Lori told the Senate Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Committee that allowing rifles using specific cartridges for hunting in the southern part of the state – now limited to shotguns, muzzleloaders and pistols – would …

The St. Joseph County Major Crimes Task Force is continuing its investigation into Wednesday’s homicide of Sturgis accountant David Locey. Meanwhile, 37-year-old Andy Brown was arraigned Thursday afternoon on a charge of embezzlement, a crime that could be connected to Locey’s murder, officials from the St. Joseph County prosecutor’s office said. Brown, a Kalamazoo resident, was formerly employed by Locey …

A township official in St. Joseph County has asked the county’s board of commissioners for financial help to rebuild a portion of a major north-south roadway in Florence Township. During Tuesday’s St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners meeting, Florence Township Supervisor Gordon Evilsizor said the deteriorating condition of Constantine Road is a concern that needs attention. Evilsizor said the three-mile …

Three people were taken into custody after a residence in Three Rivers was raided and methamphetamine production was discovered. According to a sheriff’s department media release, members of the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit acted on a citizen tip regarding potential drug activity at a residence in the 200 block of North Hooker Avenue. Once inside the residence, SCAN …

We had the best turn out at our booth this year, that we have had in a long time… perhaps ever! While there are many dis-satisfied people in general with the political landscape of our nation, most visitors were very happy with the direction of the State of Michigan. That was refreshing. They seemed to recognize the change of course …

Minor injuries were sustained by motorists involved in a three-vehicle, fog-related accident Monday. State police officials said they responded to a 7 a.m. accident on U.S. 131 and Anderson Road in Mottville Township, where a southbound semi swerved into the northbound lane and struck an oncoming semi that had stopped to turn west onto Anderson Road. The collision also impacted …

Fishing gear, a 10-foot kayak and other boating accessories were stolen from a cabin in Lockport Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department was called to a seasonal residence in the 57000 block of Holtom Road to investigate the incident, which occurred between Sept. 13 and 27. Details regarding access to the building were not provided in a department media …