News

Over the objections of prosecutors, a judge has sentenced a man to just five months in jail for cutting railroad safety wires in the Battle Creek area. Jeff Taylor is a former employee for Canadian National Railway who now runs an Upper Peninsula motel. His lawyer says Taylor had mental health problems and wasn’t targeting a specific train. Railroad crossing …

The company hoping to develop a solar farm in St. Joseph County has completed its analysis of the proposed project and is ready to move forward. Minnesota-based Geronimo Energy is eyeing between 150 and 200 acres in Mendon Township to develop what it is calling the White Pine Solar Project, a 20-megawatt project that company officials said will generate more …

Three Rivers Community Schools Board of Education members are preparing for the possible resignation of superintendent Jean Logan. The board staged a special meeting Tuesday to discuss the situation and the process of finding an interim superintendent. Logan, who is in her fifth year as Three Rivers superintendent, has not indicated where she is seeking employment. Board members, however, are …

Fire destroyed a garage and two vehicles earlier this week in Burr Oak. Firefighters were called around 3 p.m. Tuesday to a home in the 500 block of Burrwood Drive and were able to keep fire from entering the home. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined, though authorities said the blaze does not appear to be …

A status conference and trial for Keith Lang, a former Sturgis teacher and coach, was adjourned Monday. A motion hearing is set for 9 a.m. Feb. 9. Lang was set to stand trial later this month on two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. In July 2017, a plea agreement between Lang and the St. Joseph County prosecutor was withdrawn in St. …

State Rep. Aaron Miller has announced the village of Marcellus will receive a grant in excess of $400,000 from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to improve its storm-water and wastewater capabilities. Miller said the DEQ provides money to local communities to assist in the planning, design and testing of storm-water and wastewater facilities. A local 10 percent match is …

The city of Sturgis is considering a plan to partner with St. Joseph County Parks and Recreation Department for development of a disc golf course. City manager Mike Hughes suggested that the city help fund material costs such as signage, tees and golf baskets for about $17,000. In turn, the county would construct, install, own and operate it. Hughes said …

The village of Colon has temporarily relocated its operations to Colon Township due to its heat system not working. Village officials said the village will be in the township office at least through 3 p.m. Thursday. Tuesday’s regularly scheduled meeting has been postponed a week and will instead begin at 7 p.m. Jan 16.

With a heavy heart, Mendon Community Schools Board of Education made an emotional but necessary decision Monday to appoint an interim superintendent. During a board work session – the board’s first assembly since the Dec. 26 passing of former superintendent Roger Rathburn – Leasa Griffith was tapped to serve the role until a permanent chief is sought later in the …

Sturgis Area Community Foundation recently completed its 2017 competitive grant program. Recipients include: Sturges-Young Auditorium, $50,000, to assist with the makeover project, contingent on confirmation of Phase l of the project. City of Sturgis, two grants. One for $5,000 supporting a signage project for the pedestrian walkway honoring the Sister City relationship with Wiesloch, Germany. The other in the amount of …