News

The Michigan Public Service Commission has approved nearly $9 million in electricity rate cuts for customers of Indiana Michigan Power Co. because of utility savings from the federal corporate income tax overhaul. The panel on Tuesday said I&M residential customers who use an average of 500 kilowatt hours will see their monthly bills go down $1.82 beginning in September. I&M …

An Indiana man was arrested on drug-related offenses last week in Sturgis. According to the Sturgis Police Department, officers were called at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday to the area of South Maple and Mechanic streets regarding a subject passed out inside the driver’s seat of a pickup. Officers talked to the man and soon became suspicious to the presence of drugs …

Kalamazoo County authorities are investigating the case of a man who was shot and killed over the weekend in Schoolcraft Township. Deputies were called at 1 a.m. Saturday to the 13000 block of West Tremblay Drive, where a 28-year-old man had suffered a gunshot wound. Investigators said the victim, 28-year-old William Bolton of Vicksburg, died at the scene. A 25-year-old …

July’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County was 1.7 percent higher than the previous month. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed the county’s 5.4 percent July unemployment rate marked an increase from June’s 3.7 percent. St. Joseph County was above the state unemployment average, which was 4.8 percent in July. The agency …

A 34-year-old Sturgis man was arrested after he attempted to leave Sturgis Bowl with a bartender’s tip jar. A pair of Sturgis officers was leaving a nearby restaurant at 9 p.m. Friday, when they observed two men chasing the suspect from the bowling alley. Officers then drove behind the business and cornered the suspect. The suspect resisted arrest, attempting to …

It’s the first day of the 2018-19 academic year for most St. Joseph County school districts. Three Rivers begins its year with a new superintendent, Ron Moag, while Sturgis also starts with first-year superintendent Art Ebert. Meanwhile, Mendon and Nottawa school districts will see Leasa Griffith and Jerome Wolff, respectively, begin their first full years as superintendent. Though he retired …

One person suffered serious injury in a two-vehicle crash Wednesday on U.S. 12 near Broadus Street in Sturgis Township. Michigan State Police said a minivan driven by a 38-year-old woman from Sturgis pulled out of Dairy Queen in front of a motorcycle that was eastbound on U.S. 12 and driven by a 38-year-old man from Fishers, Ind. The driver of …

St. Joseph County Association of Realtors has named Michelle Williams as 2018 Realtor of the Year. The award is given in recognition of outstanding leadership and service for the association, the community and the real-estate industry. Recipients were chosen and recognized locally and again at the annual Michigan Realtors Convention and Expo next month in Traverse City. Nominees are evaluated on …

Centreville Village Council on Monday tabled amendments to its weed ordinance and open-burning ordinance. Proposed changes to the weed ordinance include a stipulation that weeds must not grow higher than eight inches, and that an annual notification in the newspaper will serve as notice to property owners to keep weeds trimmed. Proposed changes in the open-burning ordinance include adding language …

Daniel Czajkowski was among the individuals honored at the 139th annual convention of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association. Czajkowski, of White Pigeon, was recognized for 40 years of service to his profession. He is the owner of Farrand Funeral Home in White Pigeon, and co-owner of Eickhoff, Farrand, Halverson Chapel in Three Rivers. Following a reception, Czajkowski was presented a …