News

Four people were arrested after they allegedly assaulted a man outside a Sturgis business over the weekend. Sturgis Police said a concerned citizen contacted police regarding a fight in progress around 10:20 p.m. Sunday in the McDonald’s parking lot. The four suspects fled as police arrived but were later apprehended behind Kmart. The victim, whose name and age was not …

The owners of Curly’s bar and restaurant in downtown Colon expect this week to finalize rebuilding plans. Dan and Kathy Earl have purchased the corner business on East State Street that previously housed a Prudential real estate office. The acquisition will add nearly 2,000 square feet when the new Curly’s opens – likely before the end of the year. The …

More than 40 people took part in Saturday’s “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” fundraiser for the Three Rivers-based Domestic And Sexual Abuse Services agency. Staying consistent with the event’s name, most of the male participants wore high-heeled shoes as they walked a mile on the Three Rivers High School track. Event co-chair Rose Parshall said the second-annual walk was …

A Colon husband and wife escaped serious injuries after the vehicle they were in went off the roadway and landed near the St. Joseph River. Michigan State Police officials said a car driven by Jennifer Hargas, 31, was southbound on Farrand Road when she swerved to miss striking a deer near Blossom Road around 9:30 p.m. Thursday in Colon Township …

Steve Proefrock, head men’s basketball coach at Glen Oaks Community College, has been awarded the Men’s Junior College Coach of the Year award from the statewide Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan. In his 16th season at Glen Oaks, Proefrock led his team to the Western Conference Championship with a conference season record of 15-and-1, and an overall record of 27-and-4. …

Attorney General Bill Schuette issued an alert advising consumers to be mindful of changes to credit card surcharge rules. The AG says that as the new rules take effect, it’s important to make sure that consumers are well-informed. He says, quote, “Retailers are now permitted to charge new fees to MasterCard and Visa cardholders, but they must post notices and …

A group of Centreville residents is voicing opposition to a sidewalk plan in their neighborhood. Nearly two dozen residents attended this week’s Centreville Village Council meeting to voice concern over sidewalks to be built through a Safe Routes To School grant. The $416,000 to help cover the sidewalk-development cost was awarded last September. Comments ranged from the need for the …

Three Sturgis men are among 20 people from Michigan, Indiana and Ohio indicted on charges of running a major operation smuggling cocaine and methamphetamine from Mexico for sale near Fort Wayne. Federal prosecutors last week said Gelacio Martinez, 36; Juan Pena, 20; and John Bennett, 35, were allegedly involved in the operation. All three face charges of conspiracy to distribute …

The four remaining schools from the St. Joseph Valley League athletic conference are expected to join a newly created, 10-team league. The Berrien-Cass-St. Joseph Conference was announced this week during the Bronson Community Schools Board of Education meeting. The new league, which will include SJV members Centreville, Bronson, White Pigeon and Mendon, will debut in the 2014-15 academic year. Other …

Two area residents were involved in a car crash Monday in Lockport Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Carol Sission, 77, of Constantine, was southbound on U.S. 131 when she failed to stop at the traffic signal at Wilbur Road. Her vehicle struck a car driven by 29-year-old Colon resident Amber Laclair, who had the right of way …