Government

  A member of the Sturgis Fire Department was arrested Tuesday on multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said details of the matter originated from an alleged inappropriate relationship with a female that allegedly started when the suspect was teaching a class at Sturgis High School. The Sturgis Fire Department administration earlier this month …

  A Cassopolis resident was injured following a single-vehicle accident Tuesday morning in Jefferson Township. Cass County Sheriff Joe Underwood said John Bright, 58, was traveling west on M-60 near Daily Road shortly after 6 a.m., when an oncoming vehicle crossed the centerline and entered his lane of travel. Bright was forced to take evasive action, and his vehicle left …

  An Illinois man hospitalized since a near-drowning incident in a Cass County lake last weekend has died. Cass County officials said Abdi Adan, 24, of Wheaton, died at 1:20 p.m. Monday at South Bend Memorial Hospital. His death was attributed to the near-drowning he suffered Saturday at Dewey Lake in Silver Creek Township. Deputies determined that Abdi was not wearing …

  The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has approved the change of fiscal-year end for four of six funds. During action at last week’s commission meeting, the board changed the fiscal-year end from September 30 to Dec. 31 for funds related to secondary road patrol, community corrections advisory, community corrections program and victim rights advocate. The change was made …

  The Constantine Village Council has endorsed the concept of a proposed employee handbook for the community’s fire department. Fire Chief Mike Haydon said he learned its insurance company’s Risk Management Department required a handbook after several part-time employees were hired. Haydon said he would put an adopted date on the handbook once he got approval from the three municipalities …

  The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners last week gave approval to the Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce for a special event to be staged next year. As a part of the chamber’s “Discover the Treasures of St. Joseph County” program, the courthouse will provide the setting for a murder-mystery dinner. In response to the request from chamber …

  The courts building of the St. Joseph County Courthouse will soon receive attention in hopes of a remedy from perpetual humidity. Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners Tuesday agreed to a $13,000 expense for the architect and engineer firm Tower Pinkster. A separate arrangement for $2,300 was reached with HVAC contractor C.L. Mahoney Co. of Kalamazoo …

  The Constantine Police Department is assessing damage, as vandals struck a variety of locations in the village Sunday morning. Constantine’s Little League fields suffered the worst of the damage; several buildings were damaged with paint. A park on Water Street also had paint and other damage. Residences on Mill, Station, Depot, White Pigeon and Meadow Lane also were damaged …

  A $550,000 state grant has been awarded to Postle Operating in Cassopolis for an expansion project that will create 40 full-time jobs during the next two years. State Rep. Matt Lori said the Michigan Strategic Fund has awarded the Community Development Block Grant for job training to the company, which produces extruded aluminum products for recreational vehicles. Postle Operating …

  A Sturgis business was at the center of attention Monday, as state and local officials visited Cobalt Holdings. Led by Department of Environmental Quality Director Dan Wyant, the team of officials met with Cobalt president Bruce Bart and toured the facility. Their visit was a part of Gov. Snider’s recycling program. Cobalt’s main product is crumb rubber. Created from …