Recent Posts

Michigan’s top court: Schools can ban gun-toting visitors

Public schools in Michigan can ban visitors from carrying guns, even if the owner has a permit to possess a concealed pistol, the state Supreme Court said Friday. Under state law, local governments must defer to the Legislature on gun policy. But in a 4-3 decision, the Supreme Court said the law mentions cities, villages, townships and counties — not …

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Grant-writer agreement renewed

St. Joseph County’s board of commissioners last week renewed its grant-writer agreement with James Hissong. The employment agreement centers on Hissong providing his services on a part-time basis through June 30, 2019. Commissioners approved a salary of $35,000, and stipulated he provide monthly activity reports at the end of the month and an annual report by the end of June. …

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Sturgis fills board vacancy

Sturgis City Commission members appointed Travis Klinger to fill the board vacancy created by the resignation of Ina Taulbee. Commissioners took action on the issue Wednesday. The second-precinct term expires in November 2020. Klinger, employed as an RV painter at Coachmen RV, has been associated with the Sturges-Young Auditorium Board and Steering Committee the past two years. Kurt Esseltine, Brandon Kinsey …

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Patton trial adjourned

The murder trial for Zachary Patton, originally scheduled to begin next week in St. Joseph County 45th Circuit Court, was adjourned Tuesday. Patton was scheduled to stand trial for the July 2017 murder of Shane Richardson. The proceeding was delayed so a psychiatrist could evaluate additional medical records to see if Patten is competent to stand trial. No new trial …

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Sanitary sewer overflow caused by malfunctioning valve

A sanitary-sewer overflow was reported earlier this week in Constantine Township. The incident occurred at 10:40 a.m. Tuesday, when a malfunctioning air-release valve caused the overflow along U.S. 131, between Withers and Garber roads. Once the release stopped, the area was vectored of visible liquid and debris by a contractor, and covered with hydrated lime as a precautionary measure. No …

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Sturgis school bond paid off

Sturgis Public Schools officials have announced that the original bond to construct Eastwood School has been paid off. The school was built following a 1992 voter-approved bond and opened in 1994 as a facility for fourth through sixth grades. The initial bond was more than $7.5 million, though debt on the 1992 bond was refinanced in 1997 and again in …

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K-Wings announce first signing, Broadcaster Joe Roberts heads to Utica

Justin Taylor will be back with the Kalamazoo Wings when they kick off their 45th season of hockey this fall. Taylor, 29, came back from a possible career-ending injury last season to post a career-high in goals scored with 35.  Taylor was also named as the K-Wings MVP last season. During a playoff game against the Toledo Walleye in 2017, …

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Mango & Mandarin

We are two brothers.  I am Mango I am reserved and take awhile to warm up.  My brother is Mandarin, and I have longer hair, and I am more outgoing and I love to be petted.  I am very playful.  I quickly start to purr But we both started to purr while the lady taking our pictures was with us.  We are five …

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Sturgis woman arrested on drug charges

A Sturgis woman was arrested on drug-related charges earlier this week. Sturgis officers were notified around 6 p.m. Monday that a woman approximately 30 years old had been loitering in the 200 block of South Street. Officers located the female in question, finding her a short distance away. Through investigation, officers found she was in possession of methamphetamine. Her name …

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Centreville offers principal contract

Centreville Public Schools has offered a contract to Chad Brady to serve as its junior/senior high principal, according to superintendent Stephanie Lemmer. The move was made during Monday’s board of education meeting. Brady replaces Matt Hawkins, who spent two years in the position but has accepted a similar job in Vicksburg. Brady taught at Kalamazoo Public Schools for 11 years …

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