Police

Sturgis police were called Wednesday evening to a report of an attempted armed robbery at the Walmart store on Centerville Road. According to a department media release, a well-dressed, white man who appeared to be in his 50s, met privately with the store manager after convincing her he was with the sheriff’s department. During a subsequent conversation, the man displayed …

Deputy Sgt. Geoffrey Smith of the Sturgis Police Department and deputy fire chief Andrew Strudwick have announced the city’s fire department has improved its ISO rating from a Class 6 to a Class 4. In a recent presentation before members of the city commission, Smith and Strudwick said the Class 4 status makes the Sturgis Fire Department one of 87 …

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners Chairman Rick Shaffer compiled a list of 2012 accomplishments and noteworthy tidbits relevant to county-related matters. During last week’s final county commission meeting of the year, Shaffer reviewed a list of 31 items he noted as highlights. Shaffer also added he appreciates the work his fellow commissioners put in in 2012. The list of …

A 46-year-old man was arrested early Wednesday on drug-related charges following a traffic stop in Burr Oak. The man, whose name was not released, was stopped at 3 a.m. at Burr Wood Drive and found to be under the influence of alcohol and driving on a suspended license. Upon further investigation, deputies found an undisclosed amount of marijuana and a …

A Cass County woman was listed in serious condition after she was struck by a vehicle driven by a Constantine resident Monday. According to the Cass County Sheriff’s Department, 42-year-old Lori Wilkes was injured following the incident on U.S. 12 near Union Road, east of Edwardsburg. The report said Wilkes was walking in the roadway when she was struck by …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department was called to an incient last week after someone attempted to steal an automatic-teller machine. According to a department media release, someone broke into the Stop and Go truck stop around 1 a.m. Friday and attempted to steal the machine. The business is located in the 11000 block of U.S. 12 in Mottville Township. …

The Cass County Sheriff’s Department investigated a vehicle/pedestrian crash Monday evening at about 6:30. A vehicle, driven by 68-year-old Franklin Strawser of Constantine, struck a pedestrian while eastbound on US-12 near Union Road. The pedestrian was identified as Lori Wilkes, age 42, of Jones. She was reportedly in the roadway when she was struck. Wilkes was transported to Memorial Hospital …

A partnership with Southwest Michigan First was one of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners highlights in 2012, according to board chairman Rick Shaffer. Shaffer last week presented a list of the commission’s 2012 highlights, which also included an agreement for additional staffing in the MSU Extension office, the revision of an Animal Control ordinance and the creation of …

For the second time in four months, Sand Lake party store in Nottawa was burglarized. According to the St Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, the breaking-and-entering incident occurred between 10:30 p.m. Wednesday and 6:15 a.m. Thursday. Investigators suspect access was gained through a rear window that was broken out. An inventory of the store found several cartons of cigarettes and an …

The Michigan Department of Transportation is seeking public comment on its draft 2013-2017 five-year transportation program. The draft document includes information about MDOT’s funding picture and a list of specific transportation projects planned for the next five years in each of MDOT’s seven regions. Locations, descriptions and proposed construction years of more than 400 projects may be found through a …