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Sturgis City Manager Mike Hughes said he has withdrawn his candidacy for the position of city manager of Portage. The 40-year-old Hughes was one of three finalists chosen last month from a pool of five candidates for the Portage job. After further consideration, Hughes said he and his family have decided they would prefer to stay in Sturgis. Hughes, who …

The St. Joseph County Transportation Authority saw a 1-percent decrease in its ridership numbers in its 2013-14 fiscal year compared to the previous 12-month period. CTA executive director Steve Yorks said the agency’s fiscal year ended Sept. 30. It provided 96,042 rides for the period, down 739 rides from the 2012-13 fiscal year. Yorks said despite the reduction, the CTA …

Deputies from the St Joseph County Sheriff’s Office investigated a breaking-and-entering incident earlier this week in Leonidas Township. Police were called at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday to the 31000 block of Covey Road. The victim told police someone used a tool to pry off the lock to a garage. Items stolen included a riding lawn mower and a 300-piece craftsman socket …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has granted approval to Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman to re-apply for a state grant. During action at last week’s commission meeting, Stutesman sought permission to pursue a grant worth in excess of $280,000 for the Swift and Sure Sanctions Probation program. The program is already in place and received high praise from …

Two duck hunters were rescued from the St. Joseph River Sunday morning in Lockport Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said the two were duck hunting with a 12-year-old boy shortly before 7 a.m. in the 62000 block of Constantine Road in Lockport Township. Deputies were called to assist with the two men, who were unable to free themselves …

St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners has reached an employment agreement with the county’s finance director. During last week’s commission meeting, the board and Joni Smith signed a one-year contract retroactive to Oct. 1. The contract reflects compensation for a number of additional duties Smith has been delegated in the past two years. Those responsibilities include budget preparation and managing …

The Sturgis City Commission last week approved three design-task orders for 2015 street projects. The orders allow the city to get a head start on completing preliminary design, final design and bidding phases for each project this winter, in preparation for street work next spring. The city street repairs were approved for West Dresser Drive and Congress Street, and milling …

A few weeks ago, my wife and I attended her fiftieth class reunion. She graduated from Loy Norrix High School in Kalamazoo, and her class was the first to attend all three years in the new building. My wife was part of the Reunion Planning Committee, so she had been working on the reunion for the past year and one-half. …

State police are continuing their investigation into a motorcyclist wanted for fleeing and eluding. According to a department media release, a trooper on patrol attempted to pull over the motorcyclist for an equipment violation Friday night on Crooked Creek Road in White Pigeon Township. The suspect continued north at a high rate of speed but lost control north of U.S. …

The latest PowerPoint presentation regarding the St. Joseph County River Trail master plan is now available on the county’s website. County officials said the presentation, shown at four community meetings over the past six weeks, is a part of the master plan for what is expected to be an official river trail. The concept originated with the St. Joseph County …