Recent Posts

Police warn of scam involving driveway re-sealing

Michigan State Police troopers wish to remind the public of an old scam that has returned to the area recently. Investigators are following up on an incident that took place last month in Calhoun County’s Newton Township. A homeowner was approached by three men who offered to re-seal the homeowner’s driveway and exposed basement walls. The suspects sprayed the drive …

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Rally held to bring attention to case of missing woman

The case of a Sturgis-area woman missing since 2018 was at the center of a rally last weekend in Centreville. More than 50 people gathered Saturday outside the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department to raise awareness to the plight of Brittany Wallace Shank. She was 23 when she disappeared in November 2018, last seen in Fawn River Township. Sturgis resident …

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Sen. Peters calls for gun reforms following MSU shooting

U.S. Sen. Gary Peters recently issued a media release centering on the recent mass shooting at Michigan State University. Peters said he is calling for Congress to pass meaningful gun reforms, including legislation to expand federal background checks to all gun sales — a measure Peters said he helped reintroduce in the Senate. Peters said lawmakers must enact reasonable limits …

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Two dead – Man sentenced to prison

A Saginaw man was sentenced last week for his role in a crash that killed an elderly Schoolcraft couple nearly two years ago. Ezra Phillips is expected to spend up to 30 years in prison after the vehicle he was driving T-boned a car in which Joel Shaffer and Dolores Shaffer were occupants. Phillips, 28, was charged with operating while …

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Sturgis – Andrew Kuk named City Manager

Sturgis Interim City Manager Andrew Kuk last week accepted an offer from the city commission to become city manager on a permanent basis. Kuk has served for more than 15 years as assistant city manager, assuming the interim primary role in January after former manager Mike Hughes accepted a new management position at a local manufacturing company. The city commission …

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Hazardous waste & recycling of electronics – May 3rd

Organizers of the twice-a-year collection of household hazardous waste and recycling of electronics have announced an important message regarding the spring 2023 event. Pat Kulikoswki, secretary of the St. Joseph County Solid Waste Committee, said the county is working with a different drug and lab company that collects household hazardous waste. She said, unfortunately, it does not have enough staff …

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Theft of snowmobile trailer

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating the larceny of a snowmobile trailer taken last month from a location in Sherman Township. Troopers were dispatched recently to a residence in the 64000 block of Prairie Lake Road, where the victim told authorities the theft occurred Feb. 18. The trailer is silver/aluminum in color, has a single axle and silver wheels. The …

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Out and About – Week of March 13th

If you are experiencing “Spring Fever”, there’s a place to go and get some relief. Kettles County Park, located just south of Gleason Road on South US-131, has 3500 square feet of frontage on the St. Joe River for you and the family to explore. The park has two ground water streams flowing through it, three miles of hiking trails, …

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Lillywhite charges pending lab results

Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Getting said formal charges against St. Joseph County Sheriff Mark Lillywhite remain pending awaiting laboratory results from Michigan State Police. Lillywhite was arrested shortly before 2:30 a.m. Feb. 26 on U.S. 131 in Schoolcraft Township for alleged drunken driving. He was taken into custody after the Chevy Traverse he was driving rear-ended a vehicle as both …

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