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A 23-year-old Sturgis man was arrested following his role in an assault incident Tuesday in Sturgis. Investigators said police responded to a call for help at an apartment in the 300 block of North Clay Street regarding an assault in progress. The suspect was gone by the time officers arrived, but he was found around 8:30 later that night inside …

The preliminary examination set for Thursday in the matter of People vs. Andy Brown has been adjourned until next week. The St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office said the matter will be delayed until 8:30 a.m. next Wednesday before Judge Jeff Middleton. The preliminary exam will determine whether enough evidence exists to bind the case to circuit court for trial. Brown …

A one-car crash in Florence Township over the weekend has left one man dead. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said the vehicle was being driven north on Lutz Road when it crossed the centerline, went off the road and struck a tree in the 65000 block around 1:30 a.m. Sunday. The vehicle, which was reported stolen from Sturgis and …

It appears Rob Kuhlman will remain in place as superintendent of Mendon Community Schools and Centreville Public Schools. In his fourth year as a dual superintendent, Kuhlman was one of four potential candidates for the top post at Paw Paw Community Schools. On Friday, however, Paw Paw district officials said the 57-year-old Kuhlman was not one of the two finalists. …

Six area football teams, including four from St. Joseph County, qualified for the 2013 state playoffs. Pairings were announced Sunday and starting with Division 3, Sturgis managed to make the cut despite not reaching the six-win level. The 5-and-4 Trojans will play at 8-and-1 St. Joseph. In Division 6, Constantine kept its playoff streak alive, as the 5-and-4 Falcons travel …

A former LaGrange County man suspected of setting fire to Welch’s Steak and Ribs in 2009 entered a plea of no contest during his appearance in St. Joseph County Circuit Court Wednesday. Nathan Lumbard, 31, entered the plea in response to the charge of arson in exchange for a plea bargain reached with the county prosecutor’s office. For the charge …

Constantine village and township plan to reimburse more than $200,000 owed to a former manufacturing plant following a reassessment of its property taxes. Village officials this week were told Rexam Closure Systems appealed its 2011 tax assessment. The assessment was $11.2 million but reduced to $4.5 million following its appeal. As a result, the village and township owe a total …

Student Count Day in Michigan took place earlier this month, and figures from St. Joseph County show only one of its nine districts realized a student increase from last year’s October count. Colon Community Schools grew from 638 students to 640 between the October 2012 count and this year’s count, conducted Oct. 2. Proportionate to size, the biggest decreases were …

State Rep. Matt Lori on Tuesday voted for legislation that offers sales-tax relief for Michigan residents who buy new and used vehicles and watercraft. The House and Senate approved bills that eliminate buyers having to pay sales tax on the full price of a car, watercraft or recreational vehicle purchase without subtracting the value of trade-ins. Michigan is one of …

A Florence Township family of five escaped their burning residence early Sunday. Their residence, located in the 19000 block of Haybridge Road, was reported on fire around 7 a.m. and upon arrival, firefighters observed flames coming from the two-story residence. Though officials said it appears the fire started toward the rear of the home, which is undergoing renovation, the cause …