News

The Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce last week recognized its members through the annual chamber awards dinner. The first award recognized outgoing 2022 chamber president Matt Scheske. Meanwhile, the 2022 honorary board member award went to Leonard Eishen, who served as chamber president in the early 1980s. The Phoenix Award was given to The Sparrow House, accepted by Libby Hooley. …

Members of the St. Joseph County Intermediate School District Board of Education agreed to apply for a school resource officer grant. ISD superintendent Teresa Belote said the competitive grant is worth $25 million across the state of Michigan. It requires grantees to provide a 50 percent cash match for approximately three years. Belote said she spoke to St. Joseph County …

St. Joseph County District Court officials said Jiminez Lopez, age 24, has been arraigned after he allegedly drove a vehicle into the rear of a car that killed a 6-month-old boy Nov. 1 in Mendon Township. Lopez is charged with failure to stop at the scene of an accident causing death, driving with a suspended license and operating under the …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating a single-vehicle, roll-over crash last week in Fawn River Township. The incident occurred around 11:30 Friday morning on Franks Avenue, south of Ivanhoe Street. Investigators said a 2006 Ford F-150 was traveling north on Franks Avenue when the driver, a 16-year-old boy from Sturgis, lost control. The vehicle went off the road and rolled …

St. Joseph County’s roster of public defender attorneys appears to be set for the 2022-23 state fiscal year, as the matter was discussed during last week’s board of commissioners’ executive committee meeting. Chief Public Defender Keith Stickley said the proposed eight-person roster is comprised of: Laurie Hines, John Bush, Rhonda Ives, Luke Nofsinger, Tim George, Paul Gipson, Melissa Hallack and …

A 50-year-old Indiana man was injured in a one-vehicle crash over the weekend in Cass County’s Jefferson Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly after 9 a.m. Sunday to the area of M-60 and Stone Lake Drive on the south side of Cassopolis. Investigators said a car driven by Michael Douglas II, a South Bend resident, was heading …

Organizers of Centreville’s annual Christmas parade and celebration are appealing to the public for help raising funds to benefit a local elementary school teacher. Centreville’s Hometown Christmas Committee, its Covered Bridge Days Committee and its Downtown Development Authority are teaming up to organize a raffle to aid Centreville Elementary third-grade teacher Linsey Wolff. Wolff last month was diagnosed with breast …

The Animal Rescue Fund of St. Joseph County is, once again, offering “Pet Pictures” with Santa. The opportunity to feature the family pet with Santa will be available noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Three Rivers Lions Club, 420 Sixth Ave. Cost is $10, with each additional pet $2 more per pet.

One of two local high school football teams survived the latest round of playoffs over the weekend. In Division 2, eight-man competition, Mendon hosted Morrice on Saturday and came away with a 30-14 win. The Hornets will head to the Superior Dome in Marquette for a state-final showdown against Upper Peninsula juggernaut Powers North Central. It defeated Marion, 36-12, also …

Michigan State Police troopers have announced the return of a holiday program to help local families in need. The 14th annual “Stuff A Blue Goose” Christmas food and toy drive will take place at Sturgis, Three Rivers and Coldwater Walmart stores next month. Event organizers said advance notice of the event is being made so prospective donors have the opportunity …