News

Sturgis municipal officials have provided feedback on an impending road project involving M-66 north of the city. City engineer Barry Cox said MDOT offered four concepts for the reconstruction of M-66 from U.S. 12 north to Lafayette Street. The project is targeted for the 2029 road construction season. Cox said the preferred plan includes a 47-foot-wide roadway, which would feature …

A popular Colon Township business is being taken to court by local leaders over allegations of zoning violations. WWMT reported that the issue centers on Farrand Hall, a rural venue for communal dining events on the grounds of the historic Farrand Homestead. Colon Township officials said its owners, James Gray and Jacob Hagan, are not following approved uses and not …

Constantine Village Council members recently received an update on the municipality’s new wastewater treatment plant. Joseph Benjamin, an engineer at Fleis & VandenBrink, provided council members more than 40 before-and-after photos of the refurbished plant, which was last in use in the early 1990s. Constantine has since pumped its effluent to the Three Rivers treatment plant. Benjamin said the Constantine …

Chad Spence said his first six months as St. Joseph County sheriff have involved a considerable amount of housework. Spence hit the milestone last week, half a year after he stepped into the role of St. Joseph County’s highest elected law-enforcement position. Spence, who turns 52 next month, said there was no time to enjoy the proverbial “honeymoon period.” Spence …

Constantine Village Council members recently passed a resolution leading to the development of a new fire station. During their June meeting, council members OK’d the resolution, which will allow the newly formed Building Authority to issue bonds up to $2.5 million. The new station is planned to be built at 175 N. Washington St. Congressman Tim Walberg has offered a …

A kayaker on the Fawn River who was reported missing last week was eventually found. Sheriff Chad Spence said authorities were notified about the situation around 7 o’clock Wednesday night. A multi-agency search effort led to the eventual discovery of the person. A large-scale search and rescue operation was launched, involving multiple agencies, including Indiana Department of Natural Resources, White …

Sturgis City Commission members recently approved the 2025 millage rate for general operations and street/sidewalk improvements. The rate for general operations was set at 11.08 mills, which will generate more than $3.4 million a year. Meanwhile, the rate for street/sidewalk improvements was set at 2.9667, amounting to almost $945,000 annually. City clerk Ken Rhodes said the rates are slightly less …

Local, county and state law-enforcement agencies in St. Joseph County and throughout Michigan are taking part in a speed-enforcement initiative through July. The federally funded campaign covers the cost of officers, deputies and troopers conducting patrols specifically targeting motorists driving in excess of the speed limit. Patrols take place at various times and in areas where speed violations are common. …

Branch County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a stolen farm truck and identifying the individuals responsible for its theft. The incident, which was captured on video surveillance, occurred around 3 a.m. Tuesday at Lazy Acre Farms, in the 800 block of Dutch School Road in Noble Township. The victim told authorities he parked the truck …

Authorities said drugs and excessive speed appear to be factors in a crash involving a golf cart and pickup earlier this week in White Pigeon Township. Michigan State Police troopers responded at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday to an area of Lake Road in response to a crash with injuries The golf cart was heading west on Lake Road when it was …