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Investigators from Michigan State Police were at the scene of a house fire early Friday in White Pigeon Township. Authorities said the fire, at 20250 Fawn River Road, was reported by a passerby just before 2 a.m. No injuries were reported. Officials said the home had been vacant for several years, with no utilities connected. Under those circumstances, investigators termed …

The Kalamazoo Wings (38-30-1-3) finished the regular season with a win over the Wheeling Nailers (34-30-8-0) on Saturday night and now look ahead to their best-of-seven series against the Toledo Walleye. The Walleye captured the Brabham Cup on Saturday night following their 10-0 victory over the Indy Fuel. The Brabham Cup is the trophy awarded annually to the ECHL team …

The Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education recently voted unanimously to proceed with tenure charges pursuant to the Teachers’ Tenure Act against Keith Lang. Lang, a tenured teacher, was arrested and charged with multiple counts of fourth- degree criminal sexual conduct and other criminal charges. In a separate vote, board members voted unanimously to place Lang’s salary into escrow and …

Constantine Village Manager Mark Honeysett said sewer rates might go down next year, as he reviewed a portion of the prospective 2017-2018 village budget. The sewer fund is in healthy shape after suffering for a number of years, Honeysett said. During a recent village council meeting, Honeysett said the water-sewer fund got 7 mills last year, collected for the debt …

Local police agencies have seen an increase of scams by people making phone calls and claiming to be with the IRS. Police say a recording tells the call recipient they have done something to defraud the government and that a warrant has been issued for their arrest. The caller is not specific and they do not address the person by …

The Sturgis Knights of Columbus Council 2508 made donations to St. Joe Community Co-op and Pathfinders Education Center from the Tootsie Roll drive recently held in Sturgis. Pathfinder Educational Center is a centralized Special Education Facility operated by St. Joseph County ISD that provides life skills training to students in special education age 3 to 26 years of age. Students …

Members of the Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of St. Joseph County Board voted to remove executive director Liz O’Dell from her position pending an upcoming audit. Newly appointed board member John Dobberteen said the audit and subsequent administrative leave for O’Dell were good for the honesty and sincerity of the process. The process will put O’Dell on …

Nominations and appointments to different boards were made Tuesday by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. The Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Board received three new members: John Dobberteen, Don Eaton and Janet Bermingham. Meanwhile, Sturgis resident Tim Carmichael was reappointed. Additionally, the county’s Transportation Authority Board appointees were Allen Balog, Charles Thompson, Bruce Zakrzewski, Connie Stoppenbach, Kelli Tackett, Marvin Schneider and …

Constantine Village Manager Mark Honeysett said the municipality is not in compliance with a state law covering expenditures for non-motorized improvements. Non-motorized transportation is a critical element in the transportation system and increases mobility choices, relieves traffic congestion, reduces air pollution and fuel consumption and promotes physical activity and healthy lifestyles, he said. The state defines non-motorized primarily as pedestrians, …

Colon Elementary School recently received a donation from the Colon Masonic Lodge Tuesday for a fourth-grade trip to Lansing. The group supports the outing each year with a $500 check to help offset expenses. Principal Martha Hymer said the trip takes the abstract teaching of state government and gives students a hands-on experience. The fourth-graders will tour government buildings and …