News

The Sturgis Area Community Foundation marks its 55th anniversary this year and is hosting a “Match Day’ to multiply the gifts to endowed funds by donors on June 6. The foundation will match contributions to endowed funds on a dollar-to-dollar basis up to $5,000 per fund, and contributions to non-endowed funds at 50-cents on the dollar up to $2,500 per …

Court documents say a 22-year-old man charged with murder in the slaying of a former northern Indiana city councilman told detectives he met the victim responding to an online advertisement for casual encounters. Documents say Cody Garman of Elkhart told detectives the victim, 66-year-old former Goshen Councilman David Swartley, drove to Garman’s home early on May 25 and the two …

In observance of the National HIV Testing Day, The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency encourages you to get tested for HIV. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) the condition caused by the HIV virus if left untreated. This year National HIV Testing Day will take place on Tuesday June 27th, 2017. Why should …

An 82-year-old Mendon Township man was the victim of a home invasion and armed robbery over the weekend. State police said the incident occurred at 7 p.m. Sunday in the 23000 block of Michigan Avenue, where two men asked the victim if they could use his telephone. The man declined and closed the door. The suspects managed to force their …

Six area lakes will be the focus of the 2017 “Discover the Treasures of St. Joseph County” event. Sponsored by the Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce, this year’s Treasures is a lake-and-home tour that will center on Clear, Corey, Long and Pleasant lakes in Fabius Township, Fishers Lake in Park Township, and Lake Templene in Nottawa and Sherman townships. …

Sheriff’s department deputies are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident at a Lockport Township business. According to a department media release, the offense occurred between Tuesday and Friday last week in the 16000 block of Lovers Lane. Access was gained through forced entry and once inside, the suspects rummaged through cabinets and desk drawers, according to authorities.

A 42-year-old Constantine man was injured after being thrown from his moped over the weekend in Constantine Township. According to a sheriff’s department media release, the man was driving east on Stears Road around 9:30 p.m. Saturday when he attempted to turn around in the roadway and was unable to apply the brake. The moped overturned and the man was …

The Exchange Club of Sturgis held its 33rd annual youth awards program earlier this month at Sturges-Young Auditorium. Among those honored was Sturgis High School senior Sara Trine, who was named Exchange Club’s “Student of the Year.” She read from an essay she wrote about the topic of community service. Exchange Club of Sturgis also presented the 2017 Young Citizenship …

Two vehicles, a pair of trailers and a snowmobile were stolen over the weekend from Florence Township. State police said the incidents occurred between 8 p.m. Sunday and 8 a.m. Monday in the 65000 block of Engle Road. Two pickups, a 2006 Ford extended cab and a 2006 Ford single cab; a 1996 Classic enclosed trailer full of construction tools …

Rouch Off-Road, north of Sturgis in Sherman Township, has officially opened. About 300 vehicles were driven to the 90-acre property during the park’s grand opening earlier this month to take on challenges created by co-owners Ben and Jamey Rouch. The obstacles, created with excavation equipment, include a rock wall, water holes, sharp curves, steep hills and easier hills throughout the …