News

Indiana’s motorcycle dealers will be allowed to buy and sell their bikes on Sundays under a change in state law that legislators have approved.  The Indiana House voted 68-31 on Monday in favor of the bill removing the current ban on Sunday motorcycle sales.  Bill sponsor Rep. Ed Soliday of Valparaiso says all the states surrounding Indiana already allow Sunday …

The Sturgis Fire Department was called out to a house fire Monday morning on Griffith Street. The homeowner, Joyce Burg, was covered in black soot when firefighters arrived. She said she heard a loud “pop” near the microwave and found flames. She was taken to Sturgis Hospital for evaluation. The kitchen sustained heavy damage, and the entire structure sustained smoke, …

A Sturgis police officer was treated for minor injuries following an incident with a 19-year-old man over the weekend. About 7:30 a.m. Saturday, police responded to a report of a suspicious person in the 400 block of Michigan Avenue. Once located by police, the suspect left the scene in what was later discovered to be a stolen vehicle. He eventually …

The city of Three Rivers was informed last week it has been chosen as one of nine communities in the state to take part in the Michigan Main Street program. Overseen by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, the Main Street program allows its members to receive training on the basics of organizing, promoting, and economically restructuring and designing their …

Sunday’s wine and cheese event at White Pigeon Township Library was declared a success by its organizers. A capacity crowd of 40 people attended the event, which was the first of its kind at the library. Library director Perri Saunders said the wine-and-cheese tasting was an opportunity to introduce people to the library and bring together like-minded people. Burr Oak-area …

Organizers of the annual Three Rivers Water Festival community celebration announced last week that a pirate theme has been designated for the 2012 event. “Ahoy, TR,” is the theme to be incorporated into the parade and other aspects of the 56th annual festival. Long considered the unofficial start of summer, the Three Rivers Water Festival is set to take place …

Sturgis Police and Fire crews were called out for a reported explosion shortly after midnight early Monday at an apartment complex on Cato Lane. Authorities determined that a chemical related to the production of methamphetamine had been spilled in a hallway. The building was evacuated and the HazMat team was called in. Two residents were arrested in connection with the incident. One …

A 30-year-old man with a last known address in Three Rivers was identified as the victim of an early morning fire Monday in Fabius Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Thomas Nipper apparently broke into a storage barn at Meyer Broadway Park in an effort to seek shelter for the night. Investigators said Nipper intentionally started a fire …

A house in the 12000 block of Dickenson Road in Mottville Township was destroyed by fire Wednesday night. Fire officials said flames and heavy smoke were coming through the roof. Nobody was home at the time of the blaze, which was reported by a neighbor around 9 p.m. Personnel from the Michigan State Police Fire Investigation Division will follow-up on …

Bill Lentz was named the Sturgis Police Department’s Officer of the Year for 2011. The award was presented during Wednesday’s Sturgis City Commission meeting. Lentz was recognized by Public Safety Director David Northrup for his dedication to the department and his job. Northrup said Lentz has undertaken major cases in 2011 that yielded prosecution, including a criminal sexual conduct incident. …