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Sturgis City Commission has authorized facilities manager Dan Root to move forward with purchase of equipment to help maintain the new softball fields and Little League fields. Root said the ABI Force zero-turn mower, with numerous attachments to perform multiple functions, would make the process of daily maintenance efficient and streamlined. He said with this equipment, one staff member could …

Two people were injured in a single-vehicle crash over the weekend in Cass County’s Wayne Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called around 10 p.m. Saturday to Dutch Settlement Road, near Nubour Road. A pickup driven by Adam Molter, 38, of Dowagic, was heading west on Dutch Settlement Road when it left the roadway and rolled down an embankment. …

New Constantine Village Council members Joe Faulkner and Josh LaFluer were sworn in to the seven-member panel last week. Meanwhile, Gary Mathers was sworn in as president during Monday’s meeting. Village manager Mark Honeysett told the council he had as many as three applicants in mind for the position of village treasurer. Current treasurer, Helena Baldwin, chose not to run …

A 23-year-old Sturgis man was arrested following an incident shortly after 5 a.m. Friday in the 1700 block of South Centerville Road. Officers were dispatched to a report of a disorderly person and when they arrived, police found the man to become increasingly combative and he struck an officer during the investigation. He was charged with assaulting an officer.

Mendon Township Planning Commission members this week tabled a decision on whether to amend a local ordinance regarding solar energy systems. Following feedback from 35 people at Tuesday’s meeting, the five-member commission agreed to weigh all comments and regroup next month for a potential vote. Its next meeting is slated for 7 p.m. Dec. 18 at the township hall.. Overall, …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners this week made an appointment to the county’s Transportation Authority Board. During Tuesday’s meeting, Sarah Beckle was added to the CTA panel. In other action, commissioners agreed to make an exception to the county hiring freeze in anticipation of a retirement within the treasurer’s office. Deputy treasurer Mary Ives is planning to retire …

State Rep. Aaron Miller has been appointed to a key role in helping determine the policy priorities of Michigan House Republicans for the 2019-20 session. Miller was appointed chair of the Policy Action Plan Committee by Speaker-elect Lee Chatfield. The temporary panel will help collect policy ideas toward building the House Republican action plan for the next two years. Miller …

Three people charged in the murder of a truck driver last week remain in the St. Joseph County Jail. They were arrested Friday by the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department. The suspects are: Theron Hunt, 40; Kayla Lynn Chaney, 24; and Tyler McNeil, 20. Each had bond set at $4 million during arraignment this week. The trio is charged with one …

Tentative agreements were reached Tuesday with nine county unions. The St. Joseph County board of Commissioners approved the three-year proposals, which had already been ratified by the respective unions. The District Court Association remains the only outstanding contract, though county administrator Teresa Doehring said it will likely be resolved soon. In all, the nine unions represent more than 100 employees; …

A donation from renewable energy company Geronimo Energy is helping launch Mendon Community Schools’ 2018 robotics teams. The company announced last week its donation of $1,000 to the Mendon Foundation, which will help fund two robotics teams for Mendon Middle School. Geronimo’s Dave Shiflett said the company is proud to help Mendon Community Schools enhance its STEM program by sponsoring the robotics …