News

Public schools in St. Joseph County and the rest of Michigan begin the 2014-15 academic year today. In St. Joseph County, new superintendents can be found in Three Rivers and Colon, where Jean Logan and Vic Bugni, respectively, start the school year as leaders of their districts. Students in White Pigeon and Centreville will see the result of extensive work …

Investigators from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department wish to clarify that alleged sexual encounters between Sturgis firefighter Joshua Snyder and a then-15-year-old girl did not take place at a Sturgis school. Snyder was formally charged Wednesday with one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count of third- degree CSC and two counts of fourth- degree CSC for a …

About 30-thousand walkers participated in this year’s Labor Day Mackinac Bridge walk. Just before Monday’s walk about 350 runners celebrated the Pure Michigan FIT campaign and hit the bridge deck to promote and encourage healthy physical activity in communities throughout Michigan. For the third year in a row, the Mackinac Bridge Authority and the Michigan Department of Transportation are asking the public to …

St. Joseph County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 24000 block of M-86 Friday in Nottawa Township regarding a breaking-and-entering incident.  According to a department media release, cash was taken and items inside an unoccupied dwelling were damaged.

Sturgis city commissioners last week approved tax exemptions for two local companies. Each exemption is for a 12-year period. The first was Parma Tube, for investing $450,000 in two CNC tube benders, a tube-end-forming machine and supporting equipment. The exemption will also help maintain 62 existing jobs and create three new positions. The other was granted to Morgan Olson, for …

State police said a bicycle was found last week in Mottville Township. The girls bicycle was located in an area along U.S. 12 and Vistula Road. The bicycle can be claimed by making positive identification and alerting the state police post in Coldwater, at 517-278-2373.

The RV industry is enjoying a smooth ride as the recession that devastated it fades into the distance.  Industry leaders say key manufacturers and suppliers have announced recent expansions, the stock market is at an all-time high and consumers are more confident in the future.  Recreation Vehicle Indiana Council executive director Mark Bowersox tells the South Bend Tribune the rebound …

Despite maintaining his innocence, Andy Brown was sentenced Friday to serve at least 39 years in prison for killing Sturgis CPA David Locey last October. The sentence was issued by St. Joseph County Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman, who assigned Brown between 37 1/2 and 75 years for second-degree murder, and two years for felony use of a firearm. Stutesman …

White Pigeon Community Schools has made official its short-term plan regarding the vacancy of its superintendent’s position. During Wednesday’s board of education meeting, district officials named high school principal Jon Keyer acting superintendent, while curriculum director Carrie Erlandson will assist by sharing duties equally, according to a motion approved by board members. Both Keyer and Erlandson have been with the …

Members of the Sturges-Young Auditorium board and Sturgis Council of the Arts board have voted to merge the two boards. The two boards approved the plan in July and the measure was solidified Wednesday, when the Sturgis City Commission approved the merger. The newly created Auditorium Board of Directors will consist of one city commissioner and a maximum of 22 …