News

The new-look St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners was introduced Tuesday. Kathy Pangle, Dennis Allen and Dan Czajkowski, along with returning commissioners John Dobberteen and chairman Allen Balog, were sworn in by county clerk Lindsay Oswald in advance of the board’s first meeting of 2017. All five commissioners are beginning two-year terms. Balog was tapped to serve as board chairman …

State police recovered a stolen commercial truck Tuesday in Branch County. According to a department media release, troopers were called between 4 and 7 a.m. to an area on Southern Road in Kinderhook Township. Troopers found a box truck reported stolen from an undisclosed area and featuring improper plates taken from another vehicle. The truck was loaded with tires stolen …

A plan to upgrade West South Street in Sturgis prompted city commissioners to approve a new stop sign to replace a yield sign at the intersection with White Street. City engineer Barry Cox recommended the change to upgrade traffic safety when the West South/White street intersection is widened next year to accommodate semi-truck access onto White Street. According to Cox, …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners will still meet the first and third Tuesdays of the month, but a change in the longstanding 5 p.m. start time was made this week. For a trial period of six months, commission meetings will be called to order at 6 p.m. The move by one hour was proposed Tuesday by commissioner Kathy …

A Sturgis man was arrested over the weekend on a number of charges, including a felony for possession of a stolen vehicle. According to Sturgis police, a traffic stop took place shortly before 7 p.m. Saturday in the 400 block of West West Street for an equipment violation. Officers discovered the 38-year-old driver had a suspended license and was wanted …

State police last week arrested a White Pigeon-area man on a felony warrant from the city of Three Rivers. According to a department media release, troopers along with deputies from the sheriff’s department arrived to a residence on Blue School Road at 7:45 p.m. Friday to execute the warrant. Troopers spotted the man outside his garage but he fled into …

Michigan workers who make the minimum wage are getting a 40-cents-an-hour raise. The state hourly minimum rose from $8.50 to $8.90 on Sunday, the second straight yearly increase under a 2014 law that gradually raised the wage by 25 percent. Here’s a look at how Michigan’s minimum stacks up nationally and at other components of the wage boost: — THE …

Michigan drivers will pay higher taxes at the pump and shell out more to renew their license plate. The increased taxes, which Gov. Rick Snyder and lawmakers approved nearly 14 months ago to improve aging roads and bridges, took effect Sunday. It is the state’s first fuel tax hike in 20 years and the first major vehicle fee increase since …

The St. Joseph County Transportation Authority provided rides to 14 people during its eighth “New Year’s Eve Free Ride Home” promotion over the weekend. The total matched the number of rides it gave a year ago. Steve Yorks, executive director of the Three Rivers-based agency, said the service started at 10 p.m. Saturday and concluded at 4 a.m. Sunday. The …

A hit-and-run incident involving two vehicles last week in Sturgis Township remains under investigation by state police. The accident occurred at 3 p.m. Friday at U.S. 12 and Hazel Street, where the vehicles collided and both fled the scene. Witnesses were able to help authorities with a description of one of the vehicles, which led to the arrest of a …