Business

One of the top employers in Sturgis broke ground Tuesday for the largest expansion in its 70-year history. Officials from Burr Oak Tool staged a ceremonial event to mark the addition of a 120,000 square-foot assembly facility at the corner of South Nottawa Street and Bogen Road in Sturgis. Company representatives said the multi-million dollar investment is expected to create …

A Fort Wayne-based utility would like to remind its customers to beware of a scam by suspects looking for a quick and illicit windfall. Indiana Michigan Power is reporting some of its customers are being targeted by scammers who falsely represent themselves as company personnel. I&M officials said a threat to cut off electrical service is made if the potential …

Crews from the St. Joseph County Road Commission this week started work on a $100,000 upgrade of the Langley Covered Bridge. The task, slated to take two weeks to complete, focuses on replacing the upper portion of the bridge’s two-layer deck. Chris Minger, director of operations, said the bridge has a two-part floor, and the structure is at a point …

Three Rivers Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners last week agreed to two major purchases. In advance of winter weather, the city commission approved the purchase of 5,000 pounds of road salt. The $24,000 transaction will call for 60 percent of the salt to be delivered ahead of the season and the balance will be shipped later in the winter. Also, …

A 12-month ridership record was set during the St. Joseph County Transportation Authority’s most recent fiscal year. Steve Yorks, executive director of the Three Rivers-based agency, said the CTA provided 96,960 rides in its 2012-13 fiscal year. The 52-week period ended Sept. 30. The figure reflects a 2 percent increase from the 2011-12 fiscal year, when 94,940 rides were provided. …

Cass County Sheriff Joe Underwood Jr. said his office investigated a single-vehicle crash that took place last week in Porter Township. Underwood said the incident occurred mid-afternoon Friday on M-217 at State Line Road. The driver, 50-year-old Brad Martin, of Vandalia, was northbound on M-217 when he lost control of his vehicle, which left the roadway and struck the Welcome …

A household hazardous waste collection Saturday was declared a success by event organizers. Sponsored by the St. Joseph County Solid Waste Committee, the twice-a-year drop off at the county fairgrounds featured hazardous waste, televisions, computers, tires, paper and cardboard, and latex paint. Pat Kulikowski, solid waste committee secretary, said final numbers show the collection netted 256 tires, 20,000 pounds of …

A number of the 300-plus patrons who attended Wednesday’s eighth annual Project Connect in Centreville appeared focused on their needs, and spent less time browsing and more time at specific tables for the exact help that brought them to the event. Organizers of the six-hour event said 49 vendors, representing various agencies and departments to offer help for a variety …

A township official in St. Joseph County has asked the county’s board of commissioners for financial help to rebuild a portion of a major north-south roadway in Florence Township. During Tuesday’s St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners meeting, Florence Township Supervisor Gordon Evilsizor said the deteriorating condition of Constantine Road is a concern that needs attention. Evilsizor said the three-mile …

Minor injuries were sustained by motorists involved in a three-vehicle, fog-related accident Monday. State police officials said they responded to a 7 a.m. accident on U.S. 131 and Anderson Road in Mottville Township, where a southbound semi swerved into the northbound lane and struck an oncoming semi that had stopped to turn west onto Anderson Road. The collision also impacted …