News

Construction is expected to start this spring on a project more than doubling Indiana Michigan Power’s electricity production from solar energy sources. The Fort Wayne-based company has won approval from Indiana officials for the solar farm planned for the Granger area just northeast of South Bend. Completion for the project is expected later this year and is expected to generate …

Charges are being sought against a Battle Creek woman for weapons-related offenses, according to Sheriff Mark Lillywhite. The incident stems from a traffic stop Wednesday on M-60 near Haas Road in Mendon Township, where a deputy located a concealed weapon on the driver along with assorted jewelry in the vehicle. The driver was questioned and admitted to not owning the …

The village of Centreville and Nottawa Township have come to an agreement regarding Old Centreville Cemetery and will sign a contract soon, village staff said Tuesday after a recent council meeting. Under the agreement, the village and township will form the Old Centreville Cemetery committee, which will bear sole responsibility for maintenance and repair of the property at the corner …

Burger King in Sturgis closed Tuesday, five days earlier than its scheduled shut-down date. Robert Snyder, now former general manager of the Sturgis restaurant, said Tria Company of Battle Creek was closing the location and Saturday would be the last day. On Tuesday, however, he said he had been suspended from his duties as general manager and the entire staff …

A Nottawa Township resident and longtime county employee has filed paperwork for a run as county treasurer. Fifty-year-old Tammy Rigby, seeks to fill the slot of current treasurer Judie Ratering, whose term expires at the end of the year. Ratering announced in January she will not be seeking re-election. Rigby began working at the county treasurer’s office nine years ago. …

A Cassopolis man was injured after the vehicle he was driving was struck by another car this week in Cass County’s Volinia Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said 42-year-old A.J. High was driving east on Marcellus Highway when his car was struck by a vehicle traveling south on Decatur Road and failed to stop at the intersection. The second vehicle was …

Sheriff’s deputies in St. Joseph County are investigating a hit-and-run incident that took place earlier this week. According to a department media release, deputies responded Monday to the intersection of Second and Henry streets in Burr Oak. A southbound vehicle struck a street sign and a power pole before leaving the scene.

Sheriff’s officials are investigating an incident involving a larceny from a motor vehicle in White Pigeon Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies were called Feb. 13 to a business on River Street after a complaint was filed. According to investigators, security cameras show a dark-colored SUV entering the employee parking lot shortly before 4 a.m. Suspects in the SUV broke …

Eight policies and plans drafted by the St. Joseph County Information Technology department were approved by county commissioners Tuesday. Presented by IT director Dustin Bainbridge, the several-page packet details specific policies related to Audit and Accountability; Change Management; Cyber Security Incident Response; Electronic Data Destruction and Sanitization; Information Technology Contingency; VPN Usage and Access; Wireless Access; and Workstation and Data …

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners approved an exception to its hiring freeze Tuesday, granting county clerk Lindsay Oswald permission to advertise for a deputy clerk. The circuit court employee supports case-flow management and court staff when necessary. Oswald said the position is currently held by Gloria Tate, who is retiring next month. After Tuesday’s meeting, she noted that Tate …