A man involved in a Nov. 10 hours-long standoff faces felony charges, following arraignment in St. Joseph County District Court. William Michael Wright, 35, was charged with first-degree home invasion, according to jail records, as well as receiving and concealing stolen property. Wright entered a burned-out house on Findley Road near M-66 at 11:30 a.m. Police were notified and, after …
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North Pole mailbox available in Sturgis
The city of Sturgis is offering a North Pole Express mailbox through Dec. 16 for children to deliver Christmas lists to Santa. The arrangement was created after the city’s DDA had to cancel this year’s Christmas in the City due to COVID- 19 gathering restrictions. The mailbox is located in front of the Sturgis police and fire station on North …
Read More »Cautious optimism, uncertainty as Michigan virus cases decline
A top Michigan health official said Tuesday she was cautiously optimistic that more residents took steps to combat the surging coronavirus last month, citing declining case rates, but warned that the spread remains significant and the effect of Thanksgiving will not be known for two to three weeks. Joneigh Khaldun, the state’s chief medical executive and an adviser to Gov. …
Read More »Jackson couple married 47 years, died of COVID seconds apart
A Michigan couple who was married for nearly 50 years died seconds apart from the coronavirus. The couple died Nov. 24 in Henry Ford Allegiance Hospital in Jackson. Leslie and Patricia McWaters spent a week at the hospital after getting sick with COVID-19. “The time on both of their death certificates is 4:23 p.m., because (the difference) was too close …
Read More »Falling tree injured Cass County man
A Cass County resident was injured after a tree fell on him in Calvin Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called around 6 p.m. Sunday to the 18000 block of Brownsville Road. Investigators said 40-year-old RoMell Dungey was removing trees from his property when one fell on top of him. Authorities said his 14-year-old son removed the tree then …
Read More »Contact tracing at capacity in Van Buren/Cass counties
Based on the overwhelming number of COVID-19 cases in Van Buren and Cass counties, the Van Buren/Cass District Health Department has made the decision to focus efforts on containing potential outbreaks. Recent cases have reported numerous close contacts, making contact tracing efforts difficult to sustain. Even with assistance from partner organizations and increased staffing, capacity has been reached. As a …
Read More »Woman found dead in Cass County
Cass County Sheriff Richard Behnke said the agency is investigating a death that deputies believe to be suspicious in nature. The body of a deceased female, age 29, was found in a vehicle at 7:30 a.m. Thursday. Behnke revealed little more about the situation, as it remains under investigation. He did say, however, that the location of the vehicle was …
Read More »Two confirmed COVID-19 cases at Three Rivers Schools
Three Rivers Community Schools has announced two confirmed cases of COVID-19. Superintendent Ron Moag said one case involved a student at Norton Elementary and the other was confirmed as a teacher at Andrews Elementary. Moag announced the cases last Monday. He said anyone identified as a close contact of either person has already been advised by district officials. Moag said …
Read More »Rooted receives donation while event canceled
Due to the COVID- 19 pandemic, an annual event to benefit St. Joseph County children has been called off, but the organizations and businesses involved have still provided a donation to help the cause. The joint efforts of Sturgis Elks, Sturgis Kwanis, Key Club, Willer’s shoes and Ayres Insurance, led to a donation to Rooted of St. Joseph County, for …
Read More »Reminder of snow removal ordinance in Sturgis
Ryan Banaszak, Sturgis director of public safety, wishes to remind residents about the city’s snow-removal ordinance and what to do when a weather emergency is called. By Sturgis city ordinance, when a forecast calls for snow and ice accumulation greater than four inches, a snow-removal emergency may be declared. During such an alert, parking is prohibited on all city streets, …
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