News

A Sturgis woman faces numerous charges after she managed to escape from handcuffs and drive a patrol car from the scene of an accident. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said authorities responded to a property-damage accident shortly after 3 a.m. Monday on Lutz Road near Hoshel Road. The 25-year-old driver was subsequently arrested for operating while intoxicated. While deputies searched the vehicle …

State police arrested a Branch County man after he held two people against their will earlier this week. Troopers were called around 9 p.m. Sunday to a residence on Stoney Point Drive in Gilead Township. Investigators found a woman and her boyfriend went to her ex-boyfriend’s residence to retrieve personal belongings. Authorities said while the woman and her new boyfriend …

State law prohibits the plowing or shoveling of snow, ice or slush onto or across roadways or highways, as it can present a serious traffic hazard. Violation of the law is a misdemeanor, with both the property owner and person hired to remove the snow responsible for any illegal snow removal activities. In addition, snow must not be piled in …

Here’s an update from Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy regarding its year-end fundraising effort. The Galesburg-based agency started the month with a $40,000 fundraising goal to match a challenge by former board chair Dave Coleman, who will match every donation dollar-for-dollar. As of late last week, the effort has raised $33,000 toward its $40,000 goal. Agency officials said financial donations will …

A flu-shot initiative offered by Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has made 1,500 flu shots available at no cost through Covered Bridge Healthcare. The goal of the flu vaccination program is to keep people’s immune systems healthy until the COVID-19 pandemic passes, said Rick Shaffer, CEO of the Centreville-based agency. Since the initiative began Oct. 1, Covered Bridge …

The village of Vicksburg and the Vicksburg Community Foundation have partnered to distribute $40,000 to local businesses impacted by restrictions wrought by the COVID-19 virus. During their Dec. 21 meeting, council members heard village manager Jim Mallery describe the Business Survivability Grant, which creates financial assistance for businesses that meet eligibility criteria. Mallery said about two dozen potentially qualifying business …

Four exceptions were made to the county’s hiring freeze Dec. 15. St. Joseph County commissioners granted permission for District Court to fill two deputy clerk positions, Juvenile Court to fill its director/referee position and treasurer’s office to hire a deputy treasurer. In a separate matter, the board heard from emergency services director Erin Goff regarding an update on the 2020 …

Indiana Michigan Power has announced it is rebuilding a 69-kilovolt transmission line that connects the Moorepark substation to the new Ripple substation in Three Rivers. Company officials said the improvements are essential to ensure continued reliable power is available for customers. The existing transmission infrastructure has reached an age where it is in need of replacement to improve electric service …

St. Joseph County sheriff’s deputies arrested a 53-year-old Howe, Ind., man last week following a brief car pursuit in Constantine Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies attempted to stop a vehicle for a speeding violation Dec. 21 near the intersection of Dickinson and Burke roads. The driver failed to stop and after a short distance, he was apprehended near the …

State Rep. Aaron Miller, whose six-year run in Lansing concludes next week, plans to work for a Sturgis-based financial institution. Miller said he has accepted an offer from Sturgis Bank & Trust. He has already started training and will begin his new job in early January. The 34-year-old Miller said he has been a lifelong customer. His job will be …