Recent Posts

Traffic change in Sturgis

Re-examination of downtown Sturgis traffic patterns prompted by the Moso Village development has resulted in a proposed order, changing North Street to two-way traffic from U.S. 12 to West Hatch Street. The Sturgis City Commission earlier this month approved the direction that would reverse a 2007 decision, which had continued restricting the downtown street to northbound only traffic. Representatives from …

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TR Cares attorney issued cease-and-desist order

The attorney representing the leader of the grass-roots group TR Cares issued a cease-and-desist order to Three Rivers Community Schools Superintendent Jean Logan. Kelly Ward – whose client, Sherrie Nowicki, sought the directive – issued the two-page notice to Logan Monday. Nowicki read the order to board members during a special meeting Tuesday morning to deal with two student-expulsion matters. …

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Williams sentenced in shooting death

St. Joseph County Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman has sentenced Maria Williams to a maximum of 35 years in prison for the 2014 shooting death of a 33-year-old Burr Oak-area man. Stutesman on Tuesday issued the sentence, stemming from a March 2014 case involving Williams and Dennis Brooks. Williams had been accused of shooting Brooks once in the head during …

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County Commission acknowledged volunteers

During a moment of what he called “end-of-the-year reflection,” commissioner Rick Shaffer during last week’s county commission meeting acknowledged volunteers who comprise a number of boards and commissions. He also proposed some kind of a media spotlight featuring the workings of the various panels. Shaffer said the county has a number of openings on boards and commissions, and a media …

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Fill The Fire Truck event successful

White Pigeon Fire Department and area residents have assured that local families will have a happy holiday. Earlier this month, the agency staged its second “Fill The Fire Truck” event. Residents were encouraged to donate non-perishable food items or drop money in a fire boot. White Pigeon postal carriers also assisted by picking up items left at mailboxes. Also, Central …

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Plans continue for new retail development in Sturgis

Sturgis Township officials were recently updated on plans for a retail development coming to the former Kmart building on South Centerville Road. DNK Development, of Norton Shores, will be remodeling the building and housing a Tractor Supply Center store and a Dunham Sports. The site plan calls for TSC to occupy the south side of the building, while an interior …

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Mark My Words – Christmas shopping for my wife!

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I do not mind going Black Thursday/Friday shopping. Even though I made a few mistakes this year with my shopping that night, which caused me to have to make a few returns the next day, I still find some fun in it all. I think partly because I am not one of those …

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Out and About – Week of December 21st

This is a busy week for everyone. Last-minute shoppers have about two days to get those gifts purchased. Not a good time for people with short tempers to do any shopping whatsoever. If you are one of those last-minute shoppers, please have patience with the sales associates who will wait on you. They have been putting in some long hours …

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County passes 2016 budget

St. Joseph County’s 2016 fiscal year budget was passed last week, but not without some concerns from a Florence Township resident. The $16.5 million budget reflects a 2.3 percent decrease from the county’s 2015 adjusted amended budget. Tim Carls criticized the board two weeks earlier during a public hearing on what was then the proposed budget. His concern centered on …

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Sturgis High School donates food items

A food-drive challenge that returned to Sturgis High School in 2014 was back again this year. Students gathered a total of 1,180 non-perishable food items from Nov. 2 through Dec. 2. Items were donated to the local Salvation Army food pantry earlier this month. Students from Amanda Langworthy’s seminar class collected the most food items, with 274. They received a …

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