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Sturgis city commissioners recently voted to repeal Michigan’s Fireworks Safety Act, saying the 2011 law took away local government’s ability to regulate consumer fireworks. The law liberalized fireworks sales in the state and limited local governments’ oversight authority. Following the latest July 4 holiday, commissioners had complained about widespread use of loud pyrotechnics in Sturgis neighborhoods, claiming it created a …

The July unemployment rate in St. Joseph County increased by nine-tenths of a percent compared to a month earlier. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 5.6 percent July unemployment rate was higher than June’s 4.7 percent. July’s unemployment rate, however, was 1.5 percent less than the same month one …

About 100 people attended Friday’s third annual Local Food Dinner event, staged at St. Joseph County Fairgrounds. Sponsored by St. Joseph County Conservation District, the $20-per-person event featured food products either grown or produced in St. Joseph County. Carol Higgins, chair of the conservation district board, said she is encouraged that Local Food Dinner has potential to become an even …

Glen Oaks Community College announced last week it has entered into a partnership with Goshen College to bring its Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program to the Centreville campus. Glen Oaks president David Devier said the demand for the nursing workforce to hold a bachelor’s degree continues to grow. The Goshen College RN to BSN program is …

Electronic items were stolen from a Colon Township residence last week. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department was called Friday to the 54000 block of Correll Road in response to the daytime incident. The victim told investigators he was gone for a 90-minute period and during that time, someone forced entry by kicking in a door to the residence.

A truck-accessories manufacturing firm has received a 50 percent property tax break on a $330,600 expansion investment expected to create five new jobs and retain 25 others. Approved last week by the Sturgis City Commission, the 12-year incentive was offered to Unique Truck Accessories. It is constructing a 10,800-square-foot expansion at 1000 N. Clay St. to increase its manufacturing volume …

Michigan State Police are being equipped with a set of new, high-tech “stop sticks” that will be deployed during risky high-speed chases on Interstate 94 in southwestern Michigan. The Van Buren County Prosecutor authorized the purchase of the Night Hawk devices at a cost of $2,800 each, using a portion of funds seized through civil forfeiture, Prosecutor Mike Bedford told …

A police task force is investigating reports of shots fired at vehicles along two freeways in western Michigan. WOOD-TV and the Battle Creek Enquirer report Thursday that the first reported daylight shooting occurred Aug. 19 when a car’s side view mirror was struck on Interstate 94 near Marshall. Other motorists have contacted authorities about similar incidents on mostly rural parts …

Authorities say the pilot of a small plane has died after a crash at a southwestern Michigan airport. The plane crashed Thursday evening at Battle Creek’s W.K. Kellogg Airport, killing 48-year-old William Pergerson II. He was the lone occupant. Officials say he took off from the airport, began experiencing difficulty and tried to land the plane. On the second landing …

A Marcellus man was injured after the motorcycle he was driving struck a parked car in downtown Marcellus this week. Cass County Sheriff’s Department officials said Ronald Mikel, 50, was driving east on Main Street shortly after 12:30 a.m. Thursday, when he became distracted and the motorcycle swerved to the right. As a result, it hit a parked car, causing …