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Jewelry and money were reported taken during a break-in at a residence in Lockport Township last week. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said the incident occurred in the 61000 block of Shorewood Drive. The burglary took place between Aug. 4 and 8. A media release did not indicate the method of entry.

Five St. Joseph County-based departments played a critical role in helping extinguish a large-scale fire Friday morning in Vicksburg. A 4 a.m. blaze at a former paper mill required the services of 10 fire agencies to douse an intentionally-set blaze at the 435,000-square-foot building. The facility, which has been dormant and used only for storage, served for years as the …

Two days after failing by eight votes to return to a third term as a member of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners, Fawn River Township resident Jerry Ware announced he will not seek a recount. Ware, a four-year member of the county board, said even though he carried Fawn River Township and one of four precinct in the …

Doug Stewart, the estranged husband of Venus Stewart, is turning to the Michigan Court of Appeals in hopes of receiving a new trial. Stewart, who was sentenced last year to life in prison for the April 2010 murder of his wife, appeared in appellate court Wednesday in Grand Rapids. The court-appointed defender for Stewart said the retrial is warranted due, …

Members of the Sturgis City Commission have approved the municipality’s 2012-13 fiscal year budget. Featuring projected revenue of about $7.5 million and operating expenses close to $6.4 million, the budget represents an increase of about half a percent from 2011-12. During Wednesday’s commission meeting, city manager Mike Hughes said the city has taken every step it can to keep expenses …

Deputies from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said a 39-year-old White Pigeon resident was arrested Saturday following a pursuit. Sheriff’s Department officials said deputies attempted to stop the suspect for a moving violation in Three Rivers. According to a police report, the driver failed to pull over and led deputies on a pursuit through Three Rivers and into Florence …

Two county millage renewal requests and an additional renewal request in White Pigeon Township were approved during Tuesday’s primary election. The countywide votes saw the St. Joseph County Commission on Aging earn a six-year renewal of three-quarters of a mill. In addition, three-quarters of a mill renewal for six years was granted to the county E-911 central dispatch. Both renewals, …

County officials are awaiting word from County Commissioner Jerry Ware regarding a potential recount, as the Fawn River Township resident fell short in his bid for re-election by just eight votes Tuesday. In his attempt to serve what will be a new-look District 5 in January, Ware lost to Sturgis resident John Dobberteen, 395 to 387. Both are incumbents on …

The fields of judge candidates for Probate Court and District Court were narrowed to two after Tuesday’s primary election. After claiming the first and second-most votes from a field of five candidates, David Tomlinson of Colon and Christine Yancey of Mendon will square off for St. Joseph County Probate judge in November. Meanwhile, a roster of three candidates for District …

Five of six positions with St. Joseph County government will be uncontested in today’s primary election. The office of drain commissioner will be decided by voters, as incumbent Jeff Wenzel is being challenged by former drain commissioner David Hassenger. Wenzel, a Lake Templene resident, is completing his first, four-year term. Hassenger, who lives in Fabius Township, held the post for …