News

Sturgis city staff brought a draft medical marijuana ordinance to last week’s city commission meeting for discussion and questions. The ordinance and zoning amendments will go to the planning commission for a public hearing and recommendation to the city commission Jan. 16. The ordinance would allow all five types of facilities – growers, processors, secure transporters, provisioning centers and safety-compliance facilities – …

A retired Constantine High School teacher hoping to raise about $30 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation more than exceeded her goal thanks to a current Centreville Elementary School teacher. Former English teacher Mary Grunert said she lucked out when she asked former student Lisa Dentler for help with the “Letters To Santa” project, sponsored by Macy’s. Dentler, is a sixth-grade teacher …

State Rep. Aaron Miller last week commended strides made by the Michigan Legislature in the first year of his second term serving residents of St. Joseph and Cass counties. Miller, who chairs the House Committee on Election and Ethics, serves on the Appropriations Committee, where he is a member of four subcommittees. Miller also chairs the Appropriations Subcommittee on Michigan …

A dog attack in a southwestern Michigan home has left a toddler critically injured. Police in Kalamazoo say the child was dropped off at the home and was being watched by a family friend when the attack occurred. The dog belonged to the family friend. Police were called to the home at about 3:30 a.m. Saturday. The child was being …

A Constantine man died after the vehicle he was driving crashed into a tree over the weekend in Constantine Township. State police said the 49-year-old victim was driving a 2003 Chevy Malibu around 4:15 p.m. Saturday. The driver lost control of the car on Youngs Prairie Road near New England Road. Investigators said the incident occurred as the Malibu was …

Police have released the handwritten note and map that led investigators to the body of a missing teacher in October. Christopher Lockhart expressed regret for killing his wife, Theresa Lockhart, and wrote, “I pray that God forgives me.” He wrote the note on Oct. 23 before killing himself at their Portage home. Police the next day found his body and …

Authorities say a 43-year-old Michigan man has died after he fell through the ice while fishing on an Indiana river. Indiana Conservation Officers responded to a 911 call Friday afternoon from someone at a park along the St. Joseph River in South Bend. The caller said they saw a man fall through the ice and disappear. St. Joseph County Police …

Members of the St. Joseph County Road Commission discussed the future of the Langley Covered Bridge during their monthly meeting Wednesday. Considering the bridge’s continued maintenance requirements and general repair needs, board members have discussed the possibility of turning it into a pedestrian bridge and putting another bridge alongside it. Three Rivers resident Anna Smith said a new bridge would …

A proposed village medical marijuana ordinance was discussed briefly at Monday’s Constantine Village Council meeting. The discussion relates to the council’s special meeting Dec. 12, when council members considered whether to adopt the ordinance. Initially it passed, 5-2, but after further discussion was rescinded, also by a 5-2 vote. Council members decided it would be easier to start with a …

The Youth Advisory Council of the Sturgis Area Community Foundation awarded its 2017 Fall Cycle YAC grants aimed at funding youth-serving projects in the Sturgis area. This year’s YAC grant recipients include The Children’s Trauma Assessment Group, receiving $12,500 to continue providing support and resources for children who have experienced trauma. Other recipients were Student Help and Healing Center, receiving $ …