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Sturgis residents will see improvements near the downtown district with help from a $50,000 blight-elimination grant awarded by the Michigan Land Bank Fast Track Authority. Three deteriorating residential structures that had become a public-safety issue are targeted for demolition using the funds. The buildings were selected from key areas located within walking distance to community assets and the Sturgis Downtown …

A motorcyclist was critically injured after a car pulled into its path last week in Cass County’s Pokagon Township. Sheriff Joe Underwood said the incident occurred at 2:10 p.m. Friday at the intersection of M-51 and Peavine Street. Investigators said 34-year-old Troy Duis was driving his motorcycle south on M-51 when a vehicle driven by Alexis Chorba, 16, of Dowagiac, …

Members of the Constantine Village Council last week accepted a three-year contract with the Michigan Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council. The contract, which becomes effective April 1, affects three full-time officers – Lt. Marc Donker, and officers Josh Wiard and Brian Fred – and three part-time officers, Holly Cerny, Jeff Schommer and Dalton Edwards. Village manager Mark Honeysett said …

TOLEDO, OH- After dropping the first two games of the weekend, the Kalamazoo Wings (28-27-4-1) were able to snatch two points on Sunday as they defeated the Toledo Walleye 4-3 on Sunday evening. Clay Witt started in goal for the K-WIngs and made 33 saves for his first career victory. Wasting little time, the Walleye jumped on the scoreboard first …

The family of a 14-year-old girl who survived a mass shooting in southwestern Michigan says she has spoken her first word in nearly three weeks. A GoFundMe page supported by the family says Abigail Kopf said “pig” on Thursday, and it gave her relatives “great hope” that she’ll fully regain her speech. Police say Abigail was among eight people shot …

Three Rivers 68,  Paw Paw 66 (overtime) Howardsville Christian 49,  Mendon 43 Constantine 60, Lawton 52

A boat launch, riverside boardwalk, scenic grounds suitable for weddings and a premier view of the Langley Covered Bridge are part of a potential plan included for St. Joseph County’s newest park. The final draft for the yet-unnamed park will be created by officials from St. Joseph-based Edgewater Resources, who led a public-input session Thursday at the county’s parks and …

The Three Rivers Waste Water Treatment Plan reports that a sewage spill occurred around 9 a.m. Wednesday at a Constantine intermediate booster station. Plant director Doug Humbert said the incident stemmed from a contractor attempting to remove and replace a pump. During a pump cycle, Humbert said a valve opened and discharged raw sewage into the building. Most of the …

State Police said a Stihl brand backpack-style leaf blower was taken Between Monday and Thursday from a residence in the 24000 block of Butternut Drive in Sherman Township.

FirstMerit Bank has confirmed the closure of two of its St. Joseph County branches, in Colon and White Pigeon, effective June 3. Colon’s branch operation will become consolidated with the Sturgis branch. Officials could not confirm how many employees are affected, but all have been retained and offered positions at other locations, said Rob Townsend, media relations officer for FirstMerit …