Government

A large amount of copper wire was stolen from farm equipment and grain bins at a site in the 29000 block of Brandt Road in Colon Township, according to state police. The incident, which possibly occurred within the past week, was reported Monday morning, according to authorities.

A 42-year-old Kalamazoo County man is headed to prison for killing his wife after an argument over cooking dinner. John Kovach of Comstock Township was sentenced to 18 to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty on September 5 to second-degree murder and the felonious use of a firearm. Police found the body of 40-year old Nancy Kovach in the …

The August unemployment rate in St. Joseph County fell by more than two percent compared to the previous month. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 7.7 percent August unemployment rate was less than July’s 9.8 percent. The August 2013 unemployment rate was three-tenths of a percent less than the …

Sturgis municipal officials said three new programs are being introduced as a result of the Generate Sturgis entrepreneurial forums earlier this year. A committee of 12 members has continued to meet since the Generate Sturgis sessions and has developed the programs BizCon, Business Boost and Buy Sturgis. Biz Con is a business conduit that will focus on events happening in …

A broad affiliation of groups including representives from law enforcement, traffic safety, insurance and natural resources is reminding motorists that October and November are the two most dangerous months for car-deer crashes in Michigan. The Michigan Deer Crash Coalition says motorists should be aware that these crashes can cause more than just damage to the vehicle. Car-deer crashes resulted in …

The St. Joseph County Conservation District has announced the winner of its kayak giveaway. Staged as a promotion at the agency’s booth at last week’s St. Joseph County Grange Fair, the kayak giveaway was awarded based on an entry slip chosen randomly from submissions collected during the week. Winner of the kayak was Sturgis resident Marcie Wade.

The Three Rivers Department of Public Services has issued a media release detailing its fall brush pickup schedule. Residents may start placing brush on their terrace starting Saturday, as crews will begin the pickup process Oct. 7. The four-day pick up will take place Oct. 7 in the city’s Third District, Oct. 8 in its first district, Oct. 9 in …

A detached workshop was destroyed by fire shortly after 6 p.m. Wednesday in Burr Oak Township. Burr Oak Fire Chief Rich Ultz said the workshop at 30144 Kelly Road was engulfed in flames. The 2,400-square-foot shop, which belonged to Royal Klingler, owner of Burrwood Ltd., was a total loss. Ultz said the building was used as a wood shop. The …

The Centreville Post Office is staging a promotion starting Oct. 1 to tie in with the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The month-long “Pink at the Post Office” event will take place to promote the sale of the Breast Cancer semipostal stamp. The Centreville Post Office is one of several hundred post offices in the Greater Michigan District participating …

Six people were in a vehicle involved in a personal-injury accident last weekend in Cass County. Sheriff Joe Underwood Jr. said deputies were called shortly after 1 o’clock Sunday morning to North Peninsula Drive, near Union Road, in Porter Township, regarding a one-vehicle accident. Underwood said the driver, 18-year-old Connor Gest, of Elkhart, was the driver of a vehicle that …