Burr Oak, MI Local News and More

Pedestrian struck and killed in St. Joseph County’s Constantine Township

CONSTANTINE TOWNSHIP, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – A 57-year-old Constantine man was killed Tuesday evening in a vehicle-pedestrian crash in St. Joseph County. Around 6:45 p.m. deputies with the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of Withers Road and US-131 in Constantine Township. Their found that a vehicle driven by 50-year-old Lee Victor Divelbiss of Three Rivers was traveling eastbound on Withers Road when it struck Todd Donald Manos of Constantine.

St Joseph County, MI · 1d

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City owned property proposed as new location for Bronson Polish Festival Truck Pulls

BRONSON, MI (WTVB) – Property owned by the City of Bronson at 422 Mill Street will be the new location for the Bronson Polish Festival Truck Pull. City Manager Brandon Mersman made that recommendation to the Bronson City Council on Monday night which was contingent upon receipt of the required insurance documentation.

Bronson, MI · 1d

The Daily Reporter

Coldwater man sentenced to prison after teen girl gets pregnant

COLDWATER, MI — Acting Circuit Judge Kirk Kashian on Monday, Nov. 9, sentenced Israel Washington to 15 months to 15 years in prison after a 15-year-old girl became pregnant. The 21-year-old Coldwater man pleaded no contest to third-degree criminal sexual conduct and requested sentencing under the Holmes Youthful Training Act, which would have kept him off the sex offender registry and kept a conviction off his record. Public Defender John Vincent emphasized that Washington was a teenager at the time of the relationship.He noted that Washington is now employed and supporting his two children, including his newborn, who is currently hospitalized. Vincent warned of the lasting consequences of sex-offender registration. Washington told the court he regrets his past decisions and asked for the opportunity to show his positive changes. Chief Assistant Prosecutor Nora Geiger stated this was not a Romeo and Juliet situation, emphasizing that the girl was 12 when the relationship began. Child Protective Services became involved with the pregnant teen in 2024. According to the probable cause affidavit, the girl identified Washington as the father in a text message police found. DNA tests confirmed that Washington is the father. After taking over representation last week, Vincent continued to

Coldwater, MI · 1d

Sturgis Journal

Sturgis invites residents to 'Chocolate in the City'

The Sturgis Downtown Development Authority is presenting "Chocolate in the City" from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Nov. 13 in downtown Sturgis, according to a community announcement. Organizers are selling custom chocolate boxes for $15 each. Quantities are limited and boxes must be purchased before the event. Payment is by cash or check. Participants will take their empty custom box to participating downtown businesses during the event and fill the box with chocolates at each stop. More: LaGrange church hosts annual craft bazaar event How the event works Boxes will not be available for purchase the night of the event. Community members interested in participating are encouraged to buy a box in advance. The event is being promoted through the Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce, Willers Shoes and Olive Fresh, which are listed on event materials. Event details What: "Chocolate in the City"Where: Downtown SturgisWhen: Nov. 13, 5:30-8 p.m.Cost: $15 per custom chocolate boxPayment: Cash or checkAvailability: Limited quantities; advance purchase required Subscribe: Follow this story. Subscribe to the Sturgis News Journal This story was produced with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct .

22 WSBT

Crews respond to massive fire at LaGrange County facility

LAGRANGE COUNTY, IN (WSBT) — There was a massive overnight fire in LaGrange County with a factory that manufactures all-terrain vehicles believed to be at the center of the blaze. These photos posted on Facebook show heavy flames and thick smoke north of Shipshewana as firefighters responded to the...

Lagrange County, IN · 1d

wtvbam.com

Trailer fire shuts down I-69 south of Coldwater

COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The south bound lanes of I-69 south of Coldwater were shut down for several hours Wednesday afternoon into the evening after a semi trailer caught fire near mile marker 4. The semi driver was able to unhook the tractor from the trailer before it became...

Coldwater, MI · 22h

Sturgis Journal

Sturgis schools weigh new bond after May rejection

STURGIS, MI – A three-part bond proposal to fund upgrades throughout the Sturgis Public Schools campus is being examined for consideration next year, months after a similar, $98 million request was nixed by voters. The board of education and district administrators on Nov. 6 and Nov. 9, discussed a potential $86.7 million proposal, one that could be broken into sections by academic and athletic priority. All told, the proposal in development would see a millage rate of about 6.95 mills. The matter is still in the discussion phase, but will need to be finalized by January to make deadline for a spring ballot measure, district officials said. More: Sturgis holiday events bring festive fun to downtown A potential first request, estimated at about $51.2 million, would seek funding for academic infrastructure, such as bathroom renovations, roof replacements, barrier-free access and security improvements, technology, library renovations, classroom renovations, parking, drives and site work. A second request would focus on reduced athletic complex upgrades at $9.2 million, including new LED stadium lighting, a new grandstand at the soccer field and soil remediation, a reduction of more than $12 million over May’s proposal. A third section at approximately $26.3 million would ask for

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The Detroit News

Give rural hospitals a fighting chance | Opinion

Last year, Sturgis Hospital celebrated a milestone few community institutions ever reach: 100 years of serving rural Michigan. A little more than 15 months later, it closed for good. For the residents of the surrounding community, the closure means longer ambulance rides, fewer options for medical treatment, and potentially life-threatening delays in emergency care. The closure of Sturgis is hardly an isolated incident. Nearly 700 rural hospitals across the country are at risk of closure, including 260 facing immediate financial peril. More than 100 rural hospitals have shut their doors over the past two decades. Rural communities can't afford to keep losing access to essential medical care. What's needed are reforms that help independent rural hospitals remain competitive and expand access to affordable, high-quality healthcare. Running a financially sustainable rural hospital is often an uphill battle. Rural hospitals generally serve relatively small patient populations. Yet they still have to maintain expensive facilities, equipment, and staff to provide essential services around the clock. Compounding the problem, rural patients frequently bypass their local hospitals for lucrative elective surgeries, such as knee replacements. One study of rural hospitals in four states found that patients bypassed their local hospital for nearly half of elective

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Bronson unveils draft of Parks and Recreation Master Plan

BRONSON, MI (WTVB) – The City of Bronson has released a draft of a five year Parks and Recreation Master Plan. The Plan will run from 2027 through 2031. It was put together following the recent collection of community input through public surveys. City Manager Brandon Mersman says this...

Bronson, MI · 1d

WANE 15

Former Steuben County Sheriff’s detective pleads not guilty, trial set for June

STEUBEN COUNTY, Ind. (WANE) — A former Steuben County Sheriff’s detective accused of sexual misconduct with a minor has pleaded not guilty, and his jury trial is now scheduled for next summer. Jordan Trippe appeared in Steuben Superior Court on Monday. A judge set his two-day jury trial for June 16 and 17, 2027. Trippe is […]

Steuben County, IN · 1d

wmuk.org

FBI raids in West Michigan may have included a Gull Road massage parlor

State and federal law enforcement raided a handful of massage parlors around West Michigan Tuesday, according to a report from WZZM-TV. A Kalamazoo County business may have been one of them. Jennifer Walker is the co-owner of Hand Me Down Rose, a consignment shop two doors down from Mei Li...

Kalamazoo County, MI · 1d

Sturgis Journal

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Mendon volleyball season comes to a close in regional semifinals

ATHENS — The Mendon volleyball program is no stranger to playing this late in the season. A perennial staple in the Division 4 playoffs, Mendon has long had a tradition to piling up district trophies. The Hornets play in the regional tournament and expect to be there. This year, there were some bumps along the way, but Arika Jungers and her group navigated their way to another regional appearance. Unfortunately for the first-year head coach and the Hornets, the appearance will not end in the regional finals. On Tuesday night, Mendon fell in five sets to 10th-ranked Kalamazoo Hackett in the semifinals at Athens High School. "To say that this team hasn't battled mentally and physically all season would be completely foolish," Jungers said following Tuesday's match. "These kids, the way they showed up tonight and battled every single set — it's just a testament to their work ethic and how hard we worked to turn this last month of the season into something we are so incredibly proud of." MENDON FOOTBALL KEEPS GOING: Mendon beats Marcellus to win regional title in 8-player football, 60-14 COLON BACK IN SEMIFINALS: Colon again takes out Climax-Scotts to win regional football title The

Mendon, MI · 1d

The Battle Creek Enquirer

Coach Robbie Hattan has brought the magic back to Colon football

COLON ― The combination of Colon football and Robbie Hattan seems to be special. When that combo, they're magical. When they are apart, not as much. Coach Hattan and his Colon Magi are making a deep run in the playoffs once again, just like they did several years ago when that first was the partnership. No. 3 Colon will play in the state semifinals in 8-player Division 1 as the Magi face No. 1-ranked Montabella at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at Greenville High School. MORE: Colon tops Climax-Scotts to get back to the Final Four in 8-player division football The last time Colon made a similar run was 2021, with Hattan also as the head coach, as the Magi made the state finals. Colon was back in the second round the next year before Hattan took his coaching whistle to Pennfield in 2023. In the three years Hattan was at Pennfield, Colon failed to make the playoffs. He returned this fall ― and the magic was back. "Colon is home to me. Coming back was a no-brainer," Hattan said. "I was driving an hour to Pennfield every day from Colon. Having a young family. I was missing a lot

Colon, MI · 22h

WWMT

Kalamazoo County man arrested after search warrant finds loaded handgun, narcotics

KALAMAZOO COUNTY, Mich. — A 30-year-old man was arrested last Wednesday after investigators found a loaded gun and drugs in his vehicle and residence. Members of the Crime Reduction Team (CRT) executed a search warrant on Lake Crest Circle in Kalamazoo County as part of an investigation into the distribution of illegal narcotics.

Kalamazoo County, MI · 2d

Sturgis Journal

Sturgis holiday events bring festive fun to downtown

Sturgis will celebrate the Christmas season with three days of downtown activities Dec. 3-5, including a Christkindlmarkt, carriage and trolley rides, visits with Santa, a 5K run and a parade. The Dashing Through Downtown celebration includes activities on Pleasant Avenue and at several downtown locations, according to a community announcement. The Christkindlmarkt will run from 4-8 p.m. Dec. 3 on Pleasant Avenue, featuring Christmas vendors, food trucks and a hot cocoa bar. The Ugly Sweater 5K Run begins at 6 p.m., with a $30 entry fee. Registration information is available through sturgischamber.com. The Christkindlmarkt continues from 4-9 p.m. Dec. 4, with activities include free carriage rides, a giant snow globe photo opportunity and free trolley car rides. Santa will be at Free Church Park from 5-8 p.m. Dec. 4. The scheduled activities include a Santa on Firetruck Parade through downtown at 5 p.m., reindeer, free cookies, performances by the Sturgis High School band and choir and free make-and-take activities provided by First United Methodist Church. A Sip & Stroll will run from 5:30-9 p.m. at businesses throughout downtown. Punch cards will be available at the Downtown Development Authority booth at the Christkindlmarkt on Pleasant Avenue. More: Remembrances for Edmund Fitzgerald.

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The Daily Reporter

Coldwater seeks local solution to long-running odor complaints

COLDWATER, MI — After decades of complaints about industrial odors, the city council introduced a local regulation ordinance Monday night, Nov. 9. At its Sept. 28 meeting, the council asked the city attorney to draft a local law after complaints about odors from a rendering plant. Councilman Jim Knaack identified the Darling Ingredients rendering plant as the source of smell complaints during a joint city council and planning commission meeting on July 6 in a discussion of proposed ordinance changes. Attorney Amanda O’Boyle drafted the ordinance to give Coldwater a local system for investigating and enforcing nuisance odor complaints, instead of relying on Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy inspectors. Knaack said that by the time inspectors arrived, sometimes after days, from Kalamazoo or other offices, the odors had dissipated or changed. While not mentioning Darling Ingredients by name, council discussions in September and Monday night referred to odors from the rendering plant. Knaack said the plant manager said the odor “should not be an issue” and could be controlled, but the odor persisted. Odor complaints are infrequent and unpredictable. The council voted to introduce the ordinance after removing residential properties from enforcement. More discussion is expected at

Coldwater, MI · 1d

wtvbam.com

Perkins delivers powerful address during Coldwater American Legion Veterans Day Ceremony

COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Former Coldwater American Legion Post 52 Commander Sherman Perkins delivered a powerful and moving address during the annual Veterans Day program, emphasizing that a soldier’s service to the nation does not end when they take off their uniform. Speaking to an audience of local...

Coldwater, MI · 1d

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