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The case of a Sturgis couple is headed for trial amidst charges they abused two young children over the summer. Completing the second day of a preliminary examination Tuesday, St. Joseph County District Judge Jeff Middleton bound the case over to circuit court for Amanda Nicole Wood, 33, and her boyfriend, Jason Haskin, 39, on child-abuse charges. Chief assistant prosecutor …

A Coldwater man was sentenced to at least 13 years in jail for third-degree criminal sexual contact, second offense. Matthew Hicks, 42, pleaded no contest during a recent court appearance in Branch County before judge Bill O’Grady. Hicks served jail time nearly 18 years ago for a similar offense. Court officials said Hicks pleaded no contest to avoid a minimum …

Amy Robertson has been named director of development at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. Robertson will be responsible for cultivating external community relationships, expanding philanthropic support of the company’s strategic and capital plans, and bridging the gap between needs of residents and the community’s support of those needs. Robertson holds a master’s degree in public administration and more than 25 years …

Sturgis City Commission members last week approved a 12-year tax incentive resolution for a downtown redevelopment project. The Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act provides for a tax incentive to help redevelop older buildings in which a facility is contaminated, blighted or functionally obsolete. The goal is to rehabilitate older buildings into vibrant commercial and mixed-use projects. The tax incentives under OPRA freeze …

Cass County deputies responded earlier this week to the scene of a two-vehicle crash in Jefferson Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called around 2:30 p.m. Monday to an area near the intersection of Daily Road and Pine Lake Street. Authorities said Jones resident Michelle Hostler, 48, was traveling east on Pine Lake Street and failed to yield the …

State Rep. Christine Morse recently introduced legislation that, if approved, would ensure windshields and side windows of police vehicles are bulletproof. The legislation, introduced to the state House last month, calls for a $25 million allocation to retrofit vehicles to comply with the bulletproof requirement. The concept was originally brought up by the father of Kalamazoo County Sheriff Sgt. Ryan …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident that took place in Branch County’s Bethel Township. Troopers said the situation is ongoing, as thefts have been occurring from a location in the 500 block of Rierson Road since August. Items taken from the property include electronics and tools, as well as a catalytic converter. Authorities said a male and …

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Colon has more than 200 quilts destined for shipment by Lutheran World Relief. The congregation yesterday celebrated the completion of the quilts at the annual dedication service. A group of devoted quilters gather Tuesdays for the project. Quilts from St. Paul’s have been used in hospitals in India; refugee camps in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia and …

Everyone complains about the weather, but there is very little we can do about it. All we can do is pay attention to the forecasts and prepare for the worst. A good example is living in Florida and dealing with Hurricane Ian. Mother Nature must have been really upset when she unleashed the wrath on the Gulf Coast and other …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency wishes to remind the public that October is the optimal month to receive a flu shot. Kali Nichols, director of personal health and disease prevention, said an annual, seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to help protect against flu. She said flu vaccination is recommended for anyone ages six months and up. Also, …