Recent Posts

Antique bicycles stolen in Mottville

Nearly three dozen antique bicycles and other items were stolen late last month from a location in Mottville Township. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman said deputies responded Dec. 29 to a location in the 10000 block of U.S. 12. The victim told authorities what appears to be forced entry into a storage facility occurred between Dec. 24 and Dec. 29. Among the …

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Man arrested for identity theft of Meijer accounts

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the arrest and arraignment of a Grand Haven man on several felony charges related to the theft of Meijer “MPerks” accounts. Nicholas Mui, 22, was arraigned Dec. 27 in Kent County on one count of conducting a criminal enterprise, one count of using a computer to commit a crime and seven counts of identity …

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Radon-testing kits available

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is offering radon-testing kits at no charge to residents of the tri-county area. Paul Andriacchi, director of Environmental Health, says January is Radon Action Month, and he encourages residents to test their homes. Excessive indoor radon levels are frequently found in the region due to the soil types, he said. Radon is an odorless, …

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Out and About – Week of January 8th

Living near a lake is a wonderful way to spend your golden years, although those golden years might at times seem more bronze than gold. Being physically fit is a big plus, because one is able to participate in more activities than someone with a few aches and pains. Back in the seventies, I took up the sport of SCUBA …

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Missing teen found

Undersheriff Jason Bingaman said a teenager who was reported missing earlier in the week has been located. Bingaman said the agency was notified Tuesday about a juvenile who had been reported as a runaway. Family members said attempts to reach the runaway, 16-year-old Abby Nicole Pitcher, were initially unsuccessful. Bingaman said deputies received information Wednesday on Pitcher’s whereabouts. She was …

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Fundraiser benefits school therapy dog program

A local fundraiser staged prior to the holidays was deemed a success by leaders from a local organization. The Sturgis Academy of Martial Arts recently announced the accomplishment. Eastwood Elementary School was raising funds for a new campus therapy dog and the “Karate on Campus” event did what it was designed to do. The campaign ran through the first half …

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December weather summary

Our area experienced its second-warmest December in over 125 years of record keeping, following 2015 which was the warmest. There were only two days during the month with snow of any consequence, including a few inches in Central Michigan at the beginning of the month, then 1 to 3 inches in most locations on December 18 with an isolated 7 …

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Cookie Monster

Oh Boy!  I’m waiting for snow so I can stir it up and make it fly.  My name is ” Cookie Monster”, a two year old male.  They say my color is “Blue and white”.  I am a Bull Terrier mix and I am house trained and I get along with other dogs and kids.  Since I am a talented …

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County commission chooses chair and vice-chair

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners will be overseen for the second consecutive year by Ken Malone. During their annual organizational meeting Tuesday, commissioners unanimously chose the 60-year-old Sturgis resident to serve as board chairman for 2024. Malone owns Advantage Water Service in Sturgis. Malone, who is starting his sixth year as a member of the seven-man panel, said the …

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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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