News

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has declared an emergency because of a temporary shortage of heating oil and propane caused by increased demand in recent subzero weather. Snyder said Friday the shortage also is due to heavy snowfall that delayed delivery of heating oil and propane. The governor’s executive order suspends regulations to allow fuel trucks to be on the road …

Sturgis Public Schools Superintendent Tom Langdon is one of five finalists for the top administrative post at Jackson Public Schools. Langdon, 49, was interviewed for the position this week. He came to Sturgis in 2011 after serving several years as an administrator and superintendent for Big Rapids Public Schools. Langdon, whose current salary is $125,000, is vying for the position …

A citizen’s tip led to the arrest of three people on drug-related charges Thursday in Three Rivers. The St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit executed a search warrant for methamphetamine production in the 400 block of 4th Avenue. SCAN members discovered evidence of methamphetamine production and use. Arrested were a 63-year-old man, a 53-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman. They …

A Mendon man suffered minor injuries after he was involved in a one-vehicle accident Wednesday morning on M-60 in Fabius Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Richard Hartzell, 73, was driving east on the state road when he lost control of his vehicle on an icy patch of roadway and his vehicle rolled into a ditch. The incident …

A dozen people attended a public forum Wednesday in Mendon to hear more about the school district’s millage-increase request. Superintendent Rob Kuhlman and Michael Galovan, project manager from engineer/architect firm TowerPinkster, went over a detailed explanation of what’s at stake in the $9.3 million request. They said nearly three-quarters of the request will go toward building renovations and technology upgrades. …

Two people were injured in a six-vehicle crash Monday afternoon in Cass County. Sheriff Joe Underwood Jr. said the accident occurred when 43-year-old Armando Bautista, of Dowagiac, was driving south on M-51 in Silver Creek Township. Bautista slowed for a snow plow and his vehicle was rear-ended by a truck driven by 36-year-old Jennifer Laporte, of Dowagiac. The collision forced …

Mary Kay Schultz has been named 2013 Exchangite of the Year by the Sturgis Exchange Club. Schultz, human resources director at Sturgis Hospital, was recognized during a ceremony last week at the Sturges-Young Auditorium. A number of club members praised Schultz for her unfailing participation in Exchange Club-sponsored events. Schultz is a former “Person of the Year” as awarded by …

Michigan State Police troopers responded to a report of graffiti sprayed at a residence in Sturgis Township last month. Troopers were called to the 68000 block of Vinewood Street, where the victim said graffiti was sprayed on a garage door. The incident occurred either Dec. 20 or 21.

Cass County Undersheriff Richard Behnke said the local state of emergency has been lifted. Behnke said the order that was declared at 1 a.m. Monday by county board chairman Robert Wagel. After a full day of snow-clearing by the county road commission Tuesday, Behnke said conditions warranted the lifting of the state of emergency. All non-essential travel within the county …

Three Rivers Fire Department Chief Dan Tomlinson said personnel responded to a carbon monoxide problem at a residence where furnace vents were blocked with snow. In light of the recent issue, Tomlinson suggested residents to be sure snow is cleared from around their gas meters, venting and fresh-air intakes are unobstructed, and steps to clear snow from roofs be taken, …