News

The 2015 tax rates for Sturgis city property owners will remain unchanged from a year ago. The Sturgis City Commission recently set the general-operating tax rate at 10.0285 mills and continued a 3-mill levy approved by city voters in 2014 for street and sidewalk improvements. According to Ken Rhodes, city clerk/treasurer, the operating tax rate – about $10.03 for each …

Two members of the Three Rivers Fire Department were recently promoted. Paul Schoon, an 11-year full-time employee, was named captain. Meanwhile, Chad Witt was promoted to lieutenant. He joined the agency in 2010. A pinning ceremony to formalize the occasion took place June 16 before the Three Rivers City Commission.

Hamilton Harley-Davidson in Sturgis is offering a special program to complement the parent company’s support of U.S. veterans. Co-owner Tom Hamilton said the Sturgis location will provide free motorcycle rental for a day to any veteran or current member of the Armed Forces. It’s the first program of its kind in the country, said Cathi Abbs, executive director of Sturgis …

The Michigan Supreme Court has agreed to decide whether deputies acted lawfully when they walked to the rear of a home without a warrant and learned there was marijuana growing inside. The case from St. Joseph County centers on the actions of two deputies in 2011. The outcome could have an impact on police tactics statewide. The deputies skipped the …

Thousands of gamblers might have been dealt a bad hand at a southwestern Michigan casino. FireKeepers Casino Hotel says someone got access to the computer system, which held information from 85,000 credit and debit cards used for food, beverage and retail purchases, from September through April. Employees were also affected. In a statement Thursday, FireKeepers says it has no evidence …

Three Rivers police K-9 Hondo passed away last month at Michigan State University following a battle with cancer. Hondo had worked for the department the past five years. Officer Matt Stark, Hondo’s handler, said his companion was a happy and loyal dog. In his five years on the force, Hondo was able to help police locate several fugitives in and …

The Colon Area Chamber of Commerce has announced its 2015 Citizens of the Year are Joseph and Paige Smolarz. During their 25 years in Colon they have become deeply entrenched in the Colon community and extremely active in school and community events. Village trustee Edith Doenges said Joe is an avid supporter of the village’s police and fire departments, allowing …

St. Joseph County commissioners recently gave their approval to a request made by circuit court judge Paul Stutesman regarding an out-of-state travel notice. In a memo to commissioners, Stutesman stated he would like court administrator Kathy Griffin to attend the National Association for Court Management’s annual conference in Louisville, Ky. Two nights of lodging during the weeklong conference later this …

The Kalamazoo Wings have hired Joe Roberts as its new director of public relations and broadcaster. Roberts began his professional career with the K-Wings as an intern during the fall of 2010, and has since been employed by the team in several different capacities. Most recently, his responsibilities included acting as the in-game emcee and PA announcer during the 2014-15 …

A 13-year-old Detroit area boy with a visual impairment due to albinism has been denied the use of an easier-to-see baseball during a national Little League tournament. WJBK-TV and MLive.com report that Ryan Huizdos’ Grosse Pointe Woods team was told the yellow baseball he uses while batting in local games was not approved by the national organization. Ryan played in …