Government

Smoother roads will be appearing in Sturgis over the next decade, as voters Tuesday supported a 3-mill increase dedicated to street improvements and sidewalk repairs. The 10-year millage is expected to generate about $6.7 million in all, thanks to voter support of the proposal, which passed by a 3-to-2 margin. Mayor Ken Malone said the 3 mills will appear on …

Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners were asked Tuesday to consider providing financial support to help establish a new animal shelter. Proposed as a jointly run operation between the county and the newly formed River Country Humane Society, the potential facility is being eyed at the 12-acre location previously occupied by Finnerman’s Farm and Garden Equipment site …

Assistance from the Michigan State Police Fugitive Team helped Sturgis Police take custody of a man wanted in connection with a domestic-battery complaint filed last month. Sturgis police said Geoffrey Hunt, 24, was sought in Sturgis and Three Rivers after the report was filed regarding an incident in the 1200 block of East Chicago Road. Sturgis investigators were advised Hunt …

A 65-year-old Kalamazoo woman was treated for injuries she suffered last week following a one-car crash in Flowerfield Township. Officials from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Donna Rees was driving west on M-216 when she said she swerved to avoid striking a small animal and drove off the roadway east of Bent Road. Witnesses told investigators they observed …

A motorcyclist and passenger participating in a memorial ride were injured after they were thrown from their cycle over the weekend in Mottville Township. State Police personnel said White Pigeon residents Darrell Niles, 49, and Annette Rink, 47, were injured after the motorcycle they were riding slid on loose gravel and overturned. The incident occurred at noon Sunday at Riverside …

A Sturgis Police officer suffered a leg injury after he was involved in arresting a subject at 4 p.m. Thursday. According to the Sturgis Police Department, the Cass County Parole and Probation Department asked Sturgis officers to check on a wanted subject likely at a residence in the 1500 block of Progress Street. An officer made contact with the 29-year-old …

The Cass County Drug Enforcement Team executed a search warrant Wednesday in the 400 block of Walnut Street in the city of Dowagiac. During a search of the residence, detectives located a marijuana-growing operation, along with individually packaged marijuana intended for sale. Detectives also located a loaded, sawed-off shotgun and numerous other items used for the sale of illegal narcotics. …

A home in the 66000 block of Klinger Lake Road in Florence Township was heavily damaged by fire Wednesday afternoon. Deputies from the St. Joseph County Sheriff ’s Department arrived to find the kitchen area on fire. Firefighters were hampered when the blaze spread from the kitchen to an adjacent attic. The fire has been ruled accidental, officials said.

A Constantine man died as a result of a motorcycle crash Monday afternoon shortly after 4pm on South Washington Street on the south side of Constantine. The victim was identified as 61-year-old Daniel White. White was reportedly southbound when a northbound vehicle attempted to make a left hand turn into Whispering Pines Trailer Park. That vehicle was driven by Gail …

A biosolids foam-over event from the Autoheated Thermophilic Aerobic Digestion system Wednesday morning was contained within the newly constructed containment area at the Three Rivers Wastewater Treatment Plant, according to James Baker, plant superintendent. The containment area was constructed to serve as a final protective barrier to prevent biosolids foam from entering Lincoln Street and the city’s storm-sewer system. The …