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A lawn mower was reported stolen last week from a residence in Leonidas Township. State police said the incident occurred between 8 p.m. Wednesday and 12:30 p.m. Thursday in the 32000 block of M-60. The tractor, a 2016 John Deere zero-turn commercial mower, and a 12-by-7-foot utility trailer were stolen from a barn that was accessed through forced entry.

Sturgis City Manager Michael Hughes had good news last week regarding the vandalism to Oak Lawn Cemetery. He said Patten Michigan Monument Company of Sturgis is helping to restore headstones damaged over the weekend of April 2-3. Suspects remain unidentified in the vandalism that damaged more than 30 headstones. The loss was estimated at more than $50,000. Hughes said repairs …

Here are some important highlights from the MSU Extension field crops team this week. IPM BREAKFASTS This week’s meeting featured MSU agricultural economist Dr. Jim Hilker who talked to us about Grain Marketing Updates. He focused on the main drivers for the recent increases in corn and soybean prices, gave his projections for what the fundamentals are saying about how …

The Three Rivers golf team saved its best play for the last jamboree of the season. The Cats fired a fine team score of 177, good enough for 6th place, at Dowagiac’s home course, Hampshire CC. The overall scores were as follows: Otsego 155 Plainwell 167 Edwardsburg 174* Sturgis 174* Paw Paw 177* Three Rivers 177* Dowagiac 177* Vicksburg187** Allegan …

The Michigan Court of Appeals upheld the murder conviction of Andy Brown in the 2013 shooting death of Sturgis CPA David Locey. The court released a 16-page opinion Wednesday, denying Brown a new trial. Brown is serving a maximum of 75 years in prison for second-degree murder and use of a firearm during the commission of a felony. He was …

Officials from the village of Burr Oak have agreed to dissolve the community’s police department and contract protection through the St. Joseph County Sheriff ’s Department. During a special meeting Wednesday, village council members went into closed session, where they met with chief Cynthia Miller. After the closed session, a motion was made to accept the sheriff department’s contract and, …

A $50,000 blight-elimination grant from the state and nearly $14,000 in Sturgis city funding will pay to demolish three deteriorated, single-family homes this year. The properties, located at 103 St. Joseph St., 116 S. Orange St. and 303 S. Fourth St., have structural issues that officials said represent safety hazards and negatively affect neighborhood property values. Fire damage and lack …

David Vago, who was offered the job of executive director of the Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority/Michigan Main Street, informed officials he will accept the post. Currently a California resident, Vago will begin the job June 6. Vago is a farm technician at East Bay Regional Park District in Oakland. He will be paid a $42,000 annual salary for the …

New herbicide-tolerant crops that will expand the weed control options for soybeans have been developed. However, they are not ready for the 2016 season. The integrated pest management (IPM) Breakfast Series is organized by the MSU Extension field crops team in southwest Michigan. The meeting series runs through the end of June and is held on Tuesdays at the Royal …

The autopsy has been completed, following what police had originally labeled as a suspicious death. Police chief Mark Honeysett said no foul play is suspected in the death of 53-year-old Thomas Astling. He apparently died early this week at his home in the Whispering Pines Mobile Home park on South Washington Street. His body was discovered Wednesday afternoon.