News

A former prosecutor who later served as a judge in St. Joseph County has passed away. James Noecker, 76, died Monday at Bronson Methodist Hospital. The Constantine native served as assistant prosecutor for two years before taking over as prosecutor. Noecker was appointed by Gov. William Milliken in 1981 to serve as circuit judge, completing an unexpired term. He subsequently …

A man was arrested last week following a foot pursuit by Sturgis police. Authorities said Charles Daniel Holmes was seen in a neighborhood backyard. He fled after a resident started their vehicle, police said. Officers later located a person matching his description and a pursuit began. Holmes fled through a church property and eventually tried to enter a house in …

A pair of Three Rivers High School football players was named honorable mention to the Associated Press All-State team. Junior quarterback Jalen Heivlin and senior lineman Tyler Moore were recognized in a vote amongst a state media panel for Division 3 and 4. Meanwhile, Mendon High School was well represented in the Division 7-8 All-State team. Senior tailback Wyatt Cool …

A 24-year-old Sturgis man was arrested on multiple charges after attempting to flee from police over the weekend. Police said the man assaulted a woman and stole her purse Saturday. He was located by officers a few hours later near Lakeview Avenue and Bogen Road. The suspect is being held on charges of felony domestic, unarmed robbery, possession of methamphetamine, …

Nottawa Community School has been nominated by the Michigan Department of Education to apply for 2017 Title I “Distinguished School” status. Title I is a federal program providing funding to local school districts to improve the academic achievement of disadvantaged students. The National Title I Association gives the distinguished status to Title I funded schools that demonstrate strengths, including team …

Minor injuries were reported following a two-vehicle accident last week in Mottville Township. Sheriff’s deputies said a car driven by 28-year-old Justin Papesh of Dowagiac was heading north on U.S. 131 at 5:40 a.m. Tuesday, when it crossed the centerline, according to authorities. His vehicle struck a southbound car driven by Elias Faraeas, 36, of Sturgis. The head-on crash occurred …

Sturgis city commissioners have reappointed Robert Hile mayor and Jon Good vice- mayor at a recent organizational meeting. Hile, who has served on the commission for 6 1/ 2 years, was named mayor last year after serving five years as vice-mayor. Following a unanimous vote, Hile expressed his gratitude to the board. He is an agent for Ayres Insurance. Meanwhile, Good …

Four reappointments to the St. Joseph County Planning Commission were made by the county commission last week. Returning to the planning commission to serve three-year terms are Gregg Dohm of Sturgis, Three Rivers-area residents Robert Horton and Rick Shaffer, and county commission board representative Kathy Pangle, a Mendon resident. Their terms begin Jan. 1.

Vaccine waiver rates for school-age children have increased slightly in Michigan. The Detroit News reports that Department of Health and Human Services data shows 3.2 percent of kindergartners and seventh-graders received immunization waivers in 2016 compared to 3.1 percent the year before. The immunization rate was 4.8 percent in 2014. Since 2015, the state has required parents to attend educational …

An Indiana man who thought he’d never see his dog again after it vanished in September has been reunited with the pooch, which was 200 miles away in central Michigan. Gene Valdez of Elkhart, spent two months periodically checking a local animal shelter for his Brittney Spaniel, Rock. But then his nephew contacted the Cass County Humane Society, located about …