Government

Members of the Sturgis Neighborhood Program have presented to city officials bids for demolition of two properties. In September, the Sturgis City Commission toured five tax-foreclosed properties, which the city had purchased in August. Based on the tour, two homes were selected for demolition. The property at 206 Jacob St. has two structures and the property at 506 E. Hatch …

Two Centreville residents were arrested after an armed robbery incident early Thursday at the Admiral gas station in Three Rivers. According to Three Rivers Police, central dispatch received a call shortly after midnight regarding an armed robbery at the business, located on US-131. A description of the vehicle was provided and Constantine Police spotted a vehicle that matched the description …

A three-member committee in Centreville is reviewing the prospect of buying a new police vehicle. Members of the Centreville Village Council designated Dennis Allen, Keith Shears and Jeff Johnson to look into the details and financial impact of such a purchase. Undersheriff Mark Lillywhite informed municipal leaders of a possible $6,000 grant toward the purchase of a new cruiser, which …

Two Colon Township residents were charged with methamphetamine-related offenses Tuesday following a search warrant executed by the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit. Sheriff Brad Balk said SCAN members went to the residence in the 33000 block of Maryann Drive and found evidence of the manufacturing of meth. A 36-year-old woman and 37-year-old man were charged with operating and maintaining …

Sturgis municipal officials said thanks to freezing temperatures, the portable ice rink it recently purchased is open. Located at North Monroe Street and East Chicago Road, the rink is open 8 a.m. to noon daily for hockey. It will be open noon to dusk Sundays through Thursdays and noon to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

St. Joseph County’s former administrator, Judy West-Wing, ended her 30-year career with the county Wednesday. The 54-year-old Centreville resident announced over the summer her plans to retire this month, in part to spend more time with her family, including her 10-year-old daughter. With the county’s 2013 budget approved last month and other loose ends tied up this month, West-Wing said …

Members of the Fabius-Park Townships Fire Department helped quickly extinguish a fire Tuesday morning at a Lockport Township business. Department officials said the early morning blaze was at K&D Body Shop, in the 57000 block of Haines Road. The fire started in and was limited to a bay area where cars are serviced. Firefighters said damage was minimal.

Constantine village manager Mark Honeysett has declined a raise offered by the village council. In lieu of the raise and at Honeysett’s request, funds will instead go toward a budget allocated to the village’s police cars. The village budgets $4,800 for such expenses, but with the increased cost of gas and with Honeysett’s request, the fund will increase to $5,400. …

Constantine village officials have passed a resolution to honor recently retired police Sgt. Robert Studabaker. Studabaker on Dec. 31 ended a career that exceeded 32 years with the Constantine Police Department. Village Manager Mark Honeysett, who was one of four chiefs under whom Studabaker served, said Studabaker maintained a level of competence and professionalism that benefitted the Constantine Police Department. …

White Pigeon village employees may be in line to receive a 3 percent raise, potentially their first pay increase in three years. Village President Dan Czajkowksi said the raises were included in the village’s 2013-14 fiscal year budget presented last week. Czajkowski said another matter that merits attention is the renovation of the village’s water tower. The exterior has been …