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Sturgis resident and former mayor John Dobberteen was selected Wednesday to succeed Rick Shaffer as chairman of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. By unanimous vote, the 53-year-old Dobberteen was chosen to preside over the five-member board for 2013. As chairman, Dobberteen’s primary duty will require him to facilitate the board’s twice-a-month meetings. Dobberteen, a plumbing inspector, joined the …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a hit-and-run incident that took place early Sunday in Mendon Township. According to a department media release, a motorist heading north on Silver Street failed to stop at Michigan Avenue and struck a cement wall at the north end of the three-way intersection. The incident, which occurred around 1 a.m., damaged the …

A 31-year-old Coldwater man was pulled from a lake in Branch County after he fell through ice earlier this week. According to the Michigan State Police post in Coldwater, the victim fell through ice on Rose Lake around 10:45 a.m. Tuesday in Ovid Township. Quick-thinking residents created a rescue device, using a life preserver and marine rope, and the mechanism …

St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners has decided to not pursue a request by newly sworn-in District Court Judge Rob Pattison for new carpet in his office. Commissioners last month looked at three vendor quotes and reviewed the state of the current carpet. Ultimately, commissioners agreed the wear of the carpet in heavy foot-traffic areas was noticeable but no worse …

Sturgis Police were called to the 600-block of East West Street at 2am Thursday for a subject who had warrants and possible drug activity. When police arrived at the residence, the suspect fled the scene, running through several back yards. The subject was caught and began to fight with police. He was tased and placed into custody.

Thirty-one rides were provided to New Year’s Eve revelers Monday and Tuesday by the St. Joseph County Transportation Authority, according to the agency’s director. Steve Yorks said 12 rides were provided from the Three Rivers-based bus and 19 from the vehicle serving the east half of the county, including the Sturgis area. The number of riders was slightly less than …

St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners will address a few housecleaning matters during its 5 p.m. meeting today. Assembling one day later than usual because of the New Year holiday, commissioners are expected to revise policies related to its MERS hybrid pension plan and its health insurance program; review addendums to employment contracts with Lori Barczak and Patricia Kane; and …

The deadline for judging White Pigeon’s snowman-building contest has been moved to Jan. 19 due to poor snow quality. Event organizer Shireen Cline, a member of the White Pigeon Village Council, said judging was supposed to end this week, with prizes given away Sunday. Instead, judging will be extended two weeks in hopes above-freezing temperatures will add moisture to snow …

A light agenda awaits Mayor Tom Lowry and members of the Three Rivers City Commission this evening. Approving the minutes of the commission’s Dec. 18 meeting and six matters all under the consent agenda comprise the only business before the city commission today. There are no presentations, public hearings or communications scheduled. The meeting is slated to begin at 6 …

Officials from Swiss Valley Ski and Snowboarding have announced the facility opened for business over the weekend. Located near the Cass County community of Jones, Swiss Valley has information related to lift and rental rates, and hours of operation, on its website: skiswissvalley.com.