News

Arrests made following police chase

A Sturgis man was arrested last week after leading authorities on a high-speed pursuit in St. Joseph and LaGrange counties. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman said deputies were made aware around 11 a.m. Saturday of a driver who refused to pull over for speeding on Fawn River Road, near Balk Road, in Sturgis Township. Authorities said the driver reached speeds in excess …

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Postage costs will increase on January 21st

Another postage rate increase is just around the corner. The price for a First-Class Forever U.S. Postage Stamp will increase from 66 cents to 68 cents starting January 21st, 2024. The prices for domestic postcard stamps will also increase by two cents from 51 cents to 53 cents. USPS Ground Advantage prices will increase by 5.4 percent, Priority Mail service …

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Safe rides home provided on NYE

St. Joseph County Transportation Authority’s “Free Ride Home” program provided New Year’s Eve transportation for 16 people over the course of the seven-hour offer. Agency director Allen Balog said seven rides were given by the Sturgis-based bus, while the rest were by the bus positioned in Three Rivers. The service was offered from 7 p.m. Sunday through 2 a.m. Monday. …

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New businesses coming to Sturgis in 2024

Sturgis municipal officials anticipate a busy year with the opening of a number of new businesses. None bigger than the Watershed project, a large-scale commercial-residential development started earlier in 2023 and well underway in downtown Sturgis. The first floor is planned to be a steakhouse, with the second through fifth floors to be studio, one- and two-bedroom residences. The project …

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Work continues on TR satellite court building

Completion of the Three Rivers satellite court campus has been identified by St. Joseph County officials as another achievement to look forward to in the new year. In order to free up space at the Centreville courts building, county officials are refurbishing the former Three Rivers Public Library as the new location for Friend of the Court and Probate/Family/Juvenile Court …

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Constantine approves expansion proposal

Constantine Village Council members last month approved expanding its Industrial District to benefit a local business. During their Dec. 18 meeting, council members OK’d the expansion proposal for Michigan Milk Producers Association. Village manager Mark Honeysett said the expansion is on property MMPA already owns. It is located at 455 E. Water St. MMPA officials said the property will be …

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Courts building renovation continues

The estimated $7.7 million renovation of the county courts building highlights what to expect from St. Joseph County government in the coming 12 months. The 50-year-old courts building houses circuit, district and probate/family court operations. The courts building is at the south end of the courthouse campus and connected to the county’s historic courthouse by an interior breezeway. A portion …

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Decrease in unemployment rate – November

November’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County decreased by more than a full percentage point from October. Figures from the monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget show St. Joseph County’s unemployment rate fell from 4.6 percent in October to 3.5 percent in November. The county’s November rate from a year earlier was an even …

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Cruise ships stop at Muskegon

The Lake Michigan city of Muskegon is now port of call for three cruise ships, attracting vessels used for so-called luxury cruising that started on the Great Lakes six years ago. WGVU reports the financial impact for Muskegon has been positive. Cindy Larsen, president of the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce, said it is estimated the city netted about $700,000 …

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Michigan home explosion heard for miles kills 4 and injures 2

Four people died and two others were injured Saturday in a Michigan house explosion that could be heard miles away, police said. The explosion happened before 4 p.m. in Northfield Township, about 45 miles west of Detroit. The structure was destroyed, leaving only the basement, Northfield Township Police Lt. David Powell told reporters Saturday. The blast, which could be heard …

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