News

The city of Sturgis adopted its 2023-24 fiscal year budget recently, as city commissioners are focusing on long-range funding due to increasing expenses. The city commission adopted the budget and next year’s fee schedule Aug. 9. The city operating tax rate is set at 11.6818 mills; revenue raised from 1 mill is nearly $280,000. The police department budget was set …

Thurston Woods residents had the opportunity to engage in some friendly, Olympic-style competition last week. Maree Wagner, administrative assistant at the Sturgis-based senior-care facility, said Resident Olympics is a tradition enjoyed by many members of the Thurston Woods family. Wagner said an opening ceremony Aug. 15 featured a parade of residents through the facility’s hallways. Several decorated their wheelchairs and …

St. Joseph County Commissioner Luis Rosado provided an explanation about his vote last week against seeking Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s intervention to have Sheriff Mark Lillywhite removed from office. Rosado said he had fielded questions from a number of constituents following Tuesday’s vote. Rosado said his vote was cast out of caution based on the circumstances of Lillywhite’s appearance at the …

Three people were injured after a tire on the car they were in blew out last week in Branch County’s Butler Township. State police said the incident occurred at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in the 1100 block of Clarendon Road. The vehicle went off the road, down an embankment and struck a tree, authorities said. No information was provided about the …

Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy is continuing its fundraising campaign toward a goal of $250,000. Agency officials said the drive is an attempt to purchase a 457-acre property called the LaGrange Valley Wetlands. The Cass County property features an extensive amount of wetlands with water flowing ultimately into the Dowagiac Creek. Acquisition of the property will allow Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy …

The Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the 2023 “Treasures of St. Joseph County” event. This year’s attraction is a fundraiser to help with renovation of the Langley Covered Bridge. It will take place 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 23 at Covered Bridge Farm Park. Tickets are $60 per person and include music, wine tasting, a dessert auction …

Glen Oaks Community College officials have secured an architect to aid with development of a new, on-campus building. College officials are planning to have a new agriculture building constructed and during last week’s meeting, Glen Oaks Board of Trustees members OK’d the hiring of Design Collaborative of Fort Wayne to handle the task. The college, however, is waiting for approval …

Heritage Park at the St. Joseph County Grange Fair is encouraging participation in the open-class tractors event at the upcoming St. Joseph County Grange Fair. Tractor clubs can park together in open-class the Friday before the fair starts and until 10 a.m. Saturday. There will be 24-hour security and the operator of each tractor will be issued a two-day pass. …

United Community Assistance Program wishes to remind the public it is available to help meet the needs residents may have, including assistance with food, gas, laundry service, utilities, personal care and resource information. Furthermore, its Stone Cottage Free Store has clothing, undergarments, coats, shoes, winterwear, towels and blankets available. UCAP Assistance office is located at 320 N. Main St. in …

St. Joseph County United Way is preparing to host a fundraiser targeting suicide prevention. The second annual Walking Along Suicide Prevention 5K will take place Sept. 9 at Oak Lawn Park in Sturgis. Registration starts at 9 a.m., the run begins at 10 o’clock. Advance registration ends Aug. 31 and is $25. Day-of registration is $35 and student cost is …