(UNDATED) – A White Pigeon police officer had entered into a plea agreement following a drunk driving crash that happened in April.

     According to WWMT.com, Sergeant Bill Burgoyne plead guilty to a reduced charge of operating while impaired.  As part of that deal, charges of operating while intoxicated and transporting open intoxicants in a motor vehicle were dismissed.

     Burgoyne and White Pigeon Police Chief Lynn Baker were involved in the crash that happened near Sherwood in Branch County.  Michigan State Police say that both men had blood alcohol levels over the legal limit, and that an open container of alcohol was found in their vehicle.

     Baker was not criminally charged in the case.

     The White Pigeon Village Council voted to suspend both men five days without pay for actions unbecoming an officer.

     Burgoyne will be sentenced in Branch County on August 26.

     (DECATUR) – An elderly man was injured in a Cass County farming accident.

     The Cass County Sheriff’s Department says 83 year old Jay Hemenway of Decatur was driving his tractor and lost control of the vehicle, causing it to overturn.

     Hemenway was trapped underneath the tractor and was removed by Sheriff’s Deputies and members of the Wayne Township Fire Department.  He was flown to Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo for treatment of his injuries.  His condition is unknown.

(WEST LAFAYETTE) - A LaGrange County student is one of four finalists F-F-A’s Star in Agriculture Award.

AgriNews reports Lakeland High School graduate Zachary Young is the Section 1 Star in Agriculture Placement.

The 2012 graduate is the son of Ryan and Stephanie Young.  He helped with planting and harvesting at Young Family Farms and helped tend more than 6,000 cattle.

The state F-F-A convention is underway at Purdue University. During the convention’s fourth general session members and guests will watch videos of the four finalists’ operations before the winner is announced.

     (STURGIS) – A vacancy on the Sturgis Board of Education didn’t last long.

     During Monday’s regular meeting, the Board appointed David Hamlin to fill the unexpired term of LeeAnn McConnell, who announced her resignation on June 3.  Her term runs until 2014.

     Hamlin was one of five people who expressed their interest in being appointed to finish out McConnell’s term.  A search committee, made up of current board members and Superintendent Tom Langdon, recommended that Hamlin be appointed to the board.

     Hamlin has two children in the Sturgis School system, a junior and a freshman.  Hamlin shared with the Board that he works at Abbott Nutrition and felt like it was time for him to get involved.

     (STURGIS) – Two men are behind bars after a traffic stop.

     Sturgis Police conducted a traffic stop at 11:40 Monday night on North Street when the driver ran away, because he was wanted on a charge of driving while license suspended and for an outstanding arrest warrant.

     He was taken into custody a short time later.

     The passenger in the vehicle was also arrested on an outstanding arrest warrant.

     Both men are being held in the St. Joseph County Jail.

     (KENDALLVILLE) – That five year old boy found in the water at Bixler Lake Park on Saturday had died.

     On Monday, Conservation Officers reported the boy died at 4:30 Sunday afternoon at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort  Wayne.

     The Journal Gazette of Fort Wayne reports the Allen County Coroner’s Office identified the boy as Dominic Sloan Lahmen of Cromwell.  He was initially taken to Parkview Noble Hospital and later flow to Fort Wayne for treatment.

     Lifeguards at the park beach came up one person short on their head count.  At about the same time, the victim’s father reported him missing.

     Officers say the boy was spotted almost immediately floating in about five feet of water.

     That’s put the county on the hook for a $10,000 reimbursement to Garmong according to County Attorney Kurt Bachman.  

     (STURGIS) – The Sturgis Board of Education got a chance to see the proposed budget for the upcoming school year.

     During their regular meeting on Monday, Business Manager Vicki Watson shared the proposed 2013-2014 budget to the Board.

     Watson says the District will start out with their fund equity at approximately $5.3 million.  She went on to share where the revenues for the District will come from, and specifically focused on the foundation allowance, which will give Sturgis school more money per pupil in the coming year………(LISTEN).

     However, Watson did share that the blended enrollment membership would be 3268 students for 2013-2014, which is a decrease of 19 students from the current school year.

     Watson shared with the Board the proposed expenditures for the next year………(LISTEN).

     Watson says forecasting into the future continues to be important as Sturgis Public Schools once again is anticipating deficit spending.  The District has reduced 7 full time equivalent teaching positions through attrition and continues to delay capital outlay expenditures.

     The Board will hold a public hearing on the 2013-2014 budget during a special meeting at 11:45 AM on June 24 in the Central Commons Board Room.

(LAGRANGE) - A proposed extension of water lines along State Road 9 between LaGrange and the Toll Road is the subject of a joint meeting of county commissioners and county council next Monday.

The commissioners heard the request Monday morning from LaGrange County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Keith Gillenwater on behalf of Fillmore Equipment.  The Michigan company plans to replace its store at Howe with a new building on the southeast corner of State Road 9 and County Road 300 North.

Fillmore’s Ken Timmerman says the company faces a time constraint in doing the project. 

Extending water north from LaGrange would cost in the neighborhood of $400,000.  But Council President Peter Cook says it makes sense to also explore extending water south from Fawn River Industrial Park at the same time.  A company is looking at acquiring the former Multiplex building north of Howe.

It would likely require the county to tap into its Major Moves Fund to pay for the project, so a joint meeting of the boards is planned for July 8th to present the idea.  It takes 8 of the ten votes to tap the Major Moves account.

     (LAGRANGE) – Colton Strawser recently received a “Make A Difference Scholarship” from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.

     Strawser, a Lakeland High School graduate will be attending Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis this fall to major in Philanthropic Studies.

     Strawser has served as the Executive Director for PC’s For Youth since September 2009.

     PC’s For Youth gives free computers to students in LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, DeKalb, Eklhart, Kosciusko and Whitley Counties to use for educational purposes.

     The organization gives computers to students in middle/high school, college and adults trying to obtain their GED.

    (STURGIS) – It looks like meal prices will be going up for Sturgis Public School students in the new school year.

     The Board will officially vote on this proposed increase during tonight’s meeting, which will begin at 5:30 PM in the Board Room of the Sturgis Central Commons building.

(KENDALLVILLE) - A five year old boy nearly drowned at Bixler Lake Park in Kendallville on Saturday.

Lifeguards at the park beach came up one person short on their head count.  At about the same time the victim’s father reported him missing.

Indiana Conservation Officer’s say the boy was spotted almost immediately floating in about 5 feet of water.

Lifeguards performed CPR until medics arrived and took over.

The boy, whose name was not released, was taken to Parkview Noble Hospital and later flown to Parkview Regional Medical Center for treatment.

(LAKE OF THE WOODS) - LaGrange County Chamber of Commerce members got a briefing on this year’s legislative session from the head of the state Chamber of Commerce.

Kevin Brinegar (BRIN-eh-gurr) devoted much of his talk to education and workforce development issues. He said the Indiana Chamber of Commerce supports the state’s adoption of the Common Core Standards. 

Asked if recent legislative school reforms are weakening public education, Brinegar disagreed. 

Brinegar said there are more study committees this summer on various legislative issues than he has ever seen in his decades of lobbying at the legislature.

     (THREE RIVERS) – If you’re looking for some Friday night entertainment, the Three Rivers Water Fest is just the ticket.

     Going on this evening will be the Backyard Barbeque Cook-Off Contest until 9 PM in the community tent in Scidmore (SID-MORE) Park.

     Also tonight at 7 PM will be the young champions cheer team exhibition on the stage at Memory Isle Park.  There will be live music in the park with Denise Brown and Break Even on stage.

     On Saturday, there will be a benefit pancake breakfast put on by the Three Rivers Fire Department.  The classic car, truck and motorcycle show runs from 8 AM to 2 PM in the downtown area.

     There will also be the Lions Turtle Derby, the Silliman House Museum Open House, the carnival midway and KidZone along with a performance by the Kalamazoo Concert Band and a Kiss The Pig Contest.

     At 8:30 PM there will be a Tim McGraw tribute concert on the main stage at Memory Isle Park and then at 10:30 PM will be the fireworks show.

     (WHITE PIGEON TOWNSHIP) – A motorcycle accident has the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department looking for the driver.

     (STURGIS TOWNSHIP) - Three young people were injured in a one vehicle accident Friday morning.

     Michigan State Police from the White Pigeon Detachment say that 17 year old Trent Harker was driving west on U.S. 12 near Balk Road at 11 AM Friday when he attempted to pass another vehicle.  While in the passing lane, Harker was met with an eastbound automobile.

     Harker swerved to the shoulder of U.S. 12 to avoid a head on collision and lost control of his vehicle.  He continued to skid across the highway, striking a tree.

     A 12 year old from Sturgis along with 18 year old Bradley Stears were passengers in the vehicle and were able to get out on their own.

     Harker was trapped in the vehicle and had to be removed by the Tri Township Fire Department.  All three were taken to Sturgis Hospital for treatment of non life threatening injuries.

     Troopers say all three were wearing their seatbelts.

     Assisting at the scene were the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department and Life Care Ambulance.

     (LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP) – Michigan State Police are investigating a Friday morning hit and run accident.

     Troopers were called to Covered Bridge Road at South River Road at 10 AM on Friday where a Dodge Neon had been driving northbound when it collided with another vehicle.  The collision forced the Neon into a spin and into the opposite shoulder of Covered Bridge Road.

     The suspect vehicle left the scene, heading west on South River Road.

     It is described as a beige or gray Pontiac, possibly a Grand Am or Grand Prix.  It should have front end damage from the accident.

     The driver of the Neon and their two passengers were not injured in the crash, which remains under investigation.

     Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call the MSP Post in White Pigeon at 483-7611 or the Coldwater Post at 517-278-2373.

     (WASHINGTON, DC) – Indiana Republican Congressman Marlin Stutzman says he wants to split food stamps away from a proposed farm bill.

     Speaking Thursday during a conference call, Stutzman says he is not happy that nearly 80 percent of a Farm Bill that passed the U.S. Senate is for federal spending on food stamps.

     He told reporters he is trying to convince leadership a vote is needed and that there are a lot of people who support the ideas of separating food stamps from the House version of the Farm Bill.

     Stutzman feels having food stamps in the farm bill is an “unholy alliance” that has developed.  He insists splitting the two would not take food away from needy people because food can be distributed by food banks and charities at less cost than in the Senate bill.

     (WHITE PIGEON) – No one was injured when alcohol and a firearm where mixed together Thursday night.

     Michigan State Police from the White Pigeon Detachment were called to the River Forest Trailer Park on Fawn River Road around 8:45 PM to investigate a report of shots fired in a trailer.

     Troopers arrived and found that nobody was injured.  A 60 year old White Pigeon man allegedly fired a single shot into the living room floor with a .45 caliber rifle in an attempt to get two other adults to stop arguing.

     A fourth person came into the trailer and attempted to disarm the suspect and unload the weapon when a second shot was discharged into the floor.

     The suspect was arrested on a felony count of discharging a firearm inside an occupied dwelling and a misdemeanor charge of possession of a firearm while under the influence.  He is being held in the St. Joseph County Jail.

     Assisting at the scene were the White Pigeon and Constantine Police Departments along with the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department.

     (UNDATED) – A new business is moving to White Pigeon with the promise of hiring over 40 people.

     State Representative Matt Lori and State Senator Bruce Caswell have announced that Indiana based Merhow Industries will be moving from its current location in Bristol to a vacant facility in White Pigeon.

     Merhow will be investing $1.1 million and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation has approved a $200,000 performance based grant for the company, which manufactures luxury horse trailers equipped with living quarters.

     In addition, the Village is offering a 12 year property tax abatement to Merhow.

     The move will also allow Merhow to create an estimated 46 new jobs.

     Lori says the site in White Pigeon was chosen over a competing location in Indiana.

     While the employment picture has improved in recent years for White Pigeon, both Lori and Caswell say these are much needed and much appreciated jobs.

     (NEWBERG TOWNSHIP) – A Jones man is in critical condition after his motorcycle struck a trailer.

     The Cass County Sheriff’s Department says 58 year old Justin Hetmansperger of Three Rivers was pulling a utility trailer on M-60 near Bair Lake Street at 6 PM Thursday.  Hetmansperger was turning into a private driveway when his trailer was struck by a motorcycle, driven by 59 year old Thomas Lee Clark.

     Clark was ejected from his cycle and was not wearing a helmet.

     Clark was flown to South Bend Memorial Hospital where he is listed in critical condition.  Hetmansperger was not injured.

     Deputies were assisted by the Newberg Fire and Ambulance and by Life Care Ambulance.  The accident remains under investigation.

     (STURGIS) – The City of Sturgis is looking at possibly putting a no smoking ordinance on the books.

     During Wednesday’s meeting, City Manager Mike Hughes shared with the City Commission that some discussion had occurred about having a no smoking ordinance that would cover City property along with city owned permanent and temporary recreation areas.

     Hughes introduced a very basic no smoking ordinance that he said was meant to generate some discussion from the Commission. Hughes says that in addition to defining the "areas" smoking would not be allowed in, he said there would also be fines handed out to those who violate the ordinance if it's approved. 

     Commissioner Mike Wilson suggested that the ordinance might want to mirror some of the no smoking rules around state and federal locations, specifically saying that smoking could only be done a set distance away from the building.

     Some Commissioners questioned if this kind of ordinance would be properly enforced, while others thought citizens would constantly be calling the police and taking them away from other matters.

     Mayor Ken Malone says he doesn’t think that would happen.  

     The Commissioners agreed to have Hughes and city staff move forward with the ordinance and bring back a more polished copy during a future meeting.

(SHIPSHEWANA) - Police arrested four people Wednesday after finding methamphetamine at a rural Shishpewana home.

Middlebury Police went to 10650 West County Road 555 North on a shoplifting investigation.  As they approached the home they observed a one pot meth lab outside the house.

LaGrange County deputies also responded and the occupants were removed from the home pending the execution of a search warrant. They found a second one pot meth lab along with meth and items used to make and consume it.

Twenty-nine year old Jeremy Moon lives at the residence.  He was charged with manufacturing meth and maintaining a common nuisance, as was 25 year old Joshua Sanders of Elkhart.

Eighteen year old Emily Owsley of Elkhart was charged with maintaining a common nuisance, and 20 year old Amanda Soultz of Goshen charged with visiting a common nuisance.

State Police and Shipshewana firefighters assisted at the scene.

     (STURGIS) – Local contractors, circle Tuesday, June 18 on your calendars.

     The City of Sturgis will be hosting an informational meeting that day for local contractors, regarding a sewer and wastewater improvement project to be bid.  The meeting will be at 10:30 AM in the Wiesloch Room at Sturgis City Hall.

     During this meeting a summary of the project will be presented along with information about the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality SRF program requirements.

     The Wastewater system/plant improvements will involve upgrade and expansion work including converting the Diesel Plant lift station; construction of new headworks for the wastewater facilities; upgrading and improving lift station electronics; constructing a duplex grinder pump stations and force main as well as adjusting wet well structures.

     The construction project will be bid through a construction management firm and will include the following trade contracts: Evacuation and underground work; Concrete; Masonry; General Trades; Painting; Mechanical; along with Electrical, control and instrumentation.

     (LAGRANGE) – The LaGrange County Sheriff’s Department says a man wanted on warrants out of LaGrange and Noble Counties has been captured.

     The department announced on its Facebook page Thursday afternoon that 47 year old Lawrence Bixby was caught in Lima, Ohio just a couple of hours after authorities got a tip from a citizen.

     Bixby is being held in the Allen County, Ohio jail and is awaiting extradition back to LaGrange County where he was wanted on a Class C felony for forgery.

     The Sheriff’s Department asked for the public’s help in trying to find Bixby on their Facebook page two weeks ago.

     (LAGRANGE) - The LaGrange County Economic Development Corporation’s Keith Gillenwater is now a Certified Economic Developer.

     (STURGIS) – A sitting Sturgis City Commissioner will not seek re-election this fall.

     During Wednesday’s meeting, First Precinct Commissioner David Smith announced that he will not seek another term. 

     Since the deadline for filing nominating petitions is August 13, Smith thought it appropriate to make this announcement at this time.

     If you live in Sturgis’ First Precinct and would like to run for a seat on the Commission, contact City Clerk Ken Rhodes for a petition and guidelines for getting it filled out and returned.

     (STURGIS) – Streets have been a topic of conversation in Sturgis for several years.

     On Tuesday, those in attendance at the Lunch and Learn got to hear what will be happening for this summer and leading into 2014.

     Sturgis City Manager Mike Hughes shared with the audience that prior to the street millage being approved, the City Commission had already budgeted for work to be done on some of the streets around town.  One of them was a portion of South Nottawa, which Hughes says may have to wait until 2014………..(LISTEN).

     Hughes says that in 2013, the street work will not be a full fledged reconstruction like what will happen next year…..(LISTEN).

     Hughes says it will take time for the City to work with their engineers to come up with the ten year plan for how the streets will be done and in what order.

     (STURGIS) – Those in attendance at Tuesday’s Lunch and Learn got to hear about what’s going on around St. Joseph County.

     County Administrator Pat Yoder along with Sturgis City Manager Mike Hughes were the guest speakers for the event, sponsored by the Sturgis Area Chamber Of Commerce.

     Yoder shared with the audience that the County is looking at working with a marketing firm to show people what St. Joseph County has to offer in terms of business opportunities and residential living…..(LISTEN).

     Yoder says the County Commission is also exploring the idea of creating a county revolving loan fund that could have multiple uses……(LISTEN).

     Before these or any other ideas are put into motion, Yoder says they will be explored extensively.  He also says he wants to make sure that the citizens of St. Joseph County know what is going on and are given the chance to voice their opinions.

     (THREE RIVERS) – One of the first summer festivals in our area begins its three day run on Thursday.

     The 57th annual Three Rivers Water Festival, called TR’s Wild West, gets underway with a host of activities.  There will be several local organizations doing food for the visitors including the Lions Club Ox Roast; the Woman’s Club Pie & Coffee Booth; the St. John’s Lutheran Strawberry Fest and the Ambassador’s for Christ barbeque.

     In addition there will be tours of the petting zoo in Scidmore Park, the Carnival Midway opens at 4 PM and the Parade will step off at 7 PM.

     To round out the day, Deadwood will perform bluegrass music on the stage at Memory Isle Park.

     For more information, you can call the Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce office at 269-273-8193 or visit their website at trchamber dot com.

     (BURR OAK TOWNSHIP) – A stolen vehicle has the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department asking for the public’s help.

     Deputies were called to the 67 thousand block of County Farm Road in Burr Oak Township at 1:25 Wednesday morning.  The home owner said that his pickup was stolen and was last seen heading south on County Farm Road towards U.S. 12.

     The vehicle is a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500, red and silver in color with an extended cab and lift kit.  It has a red and chrome Snap On tool box in the bed.

The pick up has a Michigan registration plate of CPE0735.

     Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call the Sheriff’s Department at 467-9045, extension 327.

(LAGRANGE) - Expect to see many new faces in the halls of Lakeland High School starting with the new school year.

The New Tech Network named Lakeland a Demonstration Site, opening the doors to visitors from around the country to learn about Lakeland’s Leading Edge program.  Lakeland joins an elite group of schools that are examples of excellence in the New Tech Network.

(LAGRANGE) - A rural LaGrange man faces numerous drug related charges following a traffic stop in Noble County Monday night.

An Indiana State Police trooper pulled over 37 year old Kelly Patrick along State Road 3 near Angling Road on the north side of Kendallville for an alleged speeding violation.

During the stop Trooper John Silver spotted a hypodermic needle on the center console of Patrick’s vehicle.

The investigation shifted to Patrick’s home on LaGrange County Road 950 East where a search warrant resulted in the discovery of methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.

Patrick faces preliminary charges of possession of meth with a firearm, possession of marijuana and paraphernalia, and maintaining a common nuisance.

He was lodged in the LaGrange County Jail with bail set at $50,000.

The Branch County Sheriff’s Department says the accident took place at around 10 AM at the intersection of Block and Central Roads.

They say a vehicle driven by 60 year old John Wannemacher of Fremont did not yield for a stop sign and collided with a pickup truck driven by 66 year old John Russell Cary.

Cary’s pickup wound up on its side and Cary was freed from the vehicle by the Lakeland Fire Department.

Wannemacher suffered minor injuries. 

     The event, sponsored by the Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce, had Sturgis City Manager Mike Hughes and newly appointed County Administrator Pat Yoder as their guests.

     Hughes shared with the audience that the City has taken over the property maintenance rental inspections under a pilot program.  He says it’s part of the Sturgis 2022 initiative and explains why the City made this move……(LISTEN).

     Hughes goes on to share how their inspection process is different than the previous one……(LISTEN).

     Hughes says the City will look at the program after this year and see if there needs to be any changes made and if they want to continue with it.

     The ultimate goal through this program and others according to Hughes is to offer quality housing for the residents of Sturgis.

     (STURGIS) – It’s been a busy 60 days for new St. Joseph County Administrator Pat Yoder.

     Yoder, along with Sturgis City Manager Mike Hughes, were the guest speakers during Tuesday’s Lunch and Learn program, hosted by the Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce.

     Yoder says during his first two months in office, he has been working with Southwest Michigan First, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Michigan Works.  His focus has been to help existing businesses and to also attract new businesses to St. Joseph County.

     Yoder says their hard work has paid off……………(LISTEN).

     Yoder didn’t have a time line for when the announcements would be made, but he did say they would be soon.

     Yoder also shared with the audience some preliminary discussions about creating a county revolving loan fund.  Yoder was quick to say that he likes the idea, but it is far away from actually being put into practice.

     (CENTREVILLE) – A LaGrange County man who has not been in Michigan in almost four years may soon be in a St. Joseph County courtroom.

     Nathan Lumbard was returned to St. Joseph County on Monday and is currently being held in the county jail.  He is facing nine charges in Michigan, including the arson of the former Welch’s Steak and Ribs on Fawn River Road in Sturgis.

     Lumbard has been running from authorities since 2009.  He faked his own suicide in Missouri and then eventually went  overseas where he was living in Myanmar, which is where federal authorities found him and took him into custody.

     Lumbard had been serving a four year term in a federal prison until last week, when he was brought back to LaGrange County to face charges there.  He was sentenced to six years on two felony counts in Superior Court.

     St. Joseph County District Court officials say that Lumbard will have a pre-trial exam on June 18.  After that, attorneys will decide if Lumbard will have a preliminary exam in District Court or if he will be bound over to Circuit Court.

     (LAGRANGE) – The LaGrange County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help in finding a woman that has not been seen in almost a year.

     Authorities are looking for 42 year old Tiffany Huffman who is wanted on a Class D felony for maintaining a common nuisance.  She is also wanted for questioning in connection with an incident at the Reed Cemetery near Stroh which led to the arrest of 21 year old Matthew W. Coney for dealing methamphetamine.

     Huffman is a white female, five feet one inches tall and weighing 110 pounds.  She has brown hair and blue eyes and was last seen wearing a red and pink colored top over a white

t-shirt and blue jeans.

     Huffman was last seen July 20, 2012 in the Stroh area.  She is also know to frequent the Topeka, Michigan City and Kinderhook, Michigan areas.

     Anybody with information regarding Tiffany Huffman is asked to contact the LaGrange County Sheriff’s Department at 260-463-7491, or you can leave a private message on the department’s Facebook page.

     (BETHEL TOWNSHIP) – One person received serious injuries Tuesday morning in a two vehicle crash near Coldwater.

     The accident happened around 10 AM in Branch County’s Bethel Township at the intersection of Block and Central Roads. 

     A pick up truck ended up on its side.  The driver had to be freed by rescue crews and later flown from the scene.

     The Branch County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the incident.  They were assisted at the scene by the Michigan State Police and the Lakeland Fire Department.

     (LAGRANGE) – A clean up project in LaGrange County is going well.

     LaGrange County Commissioners fined a rural Shipshewana couple nearly 26 hundred dollars last December and gave them six months to finish cleaning up their property.

     It’s taken most of that time, but now Commissioner Larry Miller reports real progress has been made. 

     Paul Beardslee shared with the Sturgis Board of Education during their Monday study session his findings after going through paperwork and interviewing all the individuals involved in the matter from the fall of 2012.  Beardslee says he would not erase all doubts surrounding the matter, but would try to shed some light on practices and procedures.

     Beardslee say that he found an issue with both Keim and Superintendent Tom Langdon on a request by parents to meet with Keim last fall..............(LISTEN).

     Beardslee also shared a concern with the word "should" as it appears in the Sturgis Athletic handbook...………(LISTEN).

     While Beardslee says there were concerns on both sides in this issue, he did applaud both Keim and Langdon for agreeing to let Keim come back and finish the 2012 football season as an assistant coach.

     (STURGIS) – Bill Keim had the opportunity Monday to respond to a report on his resignation as Sturgis varsity football coach.

     During the Sturgis Board of Education’s Study Session, Keim presented his comments on independent counsel Paul Beardslee’s report of the circumstances that led to Keim’s resignation last September.

     Keim spoke during the public comments portion of the meeting.  He wanted to share his thoughts at that time because he would not be available for next week’s meeting.

     Keim started his response by asking for a copy of a release that Superintendent Tom Langdon gave to Beardslee in April……..(LISTEN).

     In his report, Beardslee shared that he thought part of Keim’s reason for resigning was that there was a lack of commitment on bringing him back for the 2013 season.  Keim questioned how that conclusion was drawn……(LISTEN).

     Keim shared that his evaluations were always highly effective and that Athletic Director Mark Adams had attended practices to see what was going on with the program.

     Keim questioned why the athletic policies for athletes and  parents were not followed in this instance, especially when they are spelled out.

     (BRONSON) – For the second time in a week, a Bronson area family has been involved in an accident.

     Michigan State Police from the Coldwater Post say at 6:30 Saturday night, Les and Lloyd Mallow were standing next to their flat bed truck along Round Lake Road.  They were pulling a 500 gallon liquid nitrogen fertilizer tank and had pulled off to the side of the road when the trailer was struck from behind by a west bound car.

     Les Mallow was injured when he was hit by the tank trailer, which was pushed his way by the force of the collision.  The tank itself was split in half.

     Mallow was initially taken to Sturgis Hospital and then flown to Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo where he is listed in stable condition.

     Lloyd Mallow received only minor injuries while the woman driving the car was not injured in the accident.

     The Bronson Fire Department was called to the scene as a precaution, although authorities say there was no hazmat issues.

     Troopers continue to investigate the accident.

     Last week, a barn at the Mallow property on Dutch Settlement Road burned, destroying over 200 hay bales and other equipment.

     (STURGIS) – The Safety Town project is moving full steam head.

     Safety Town is a joint effort between the Sturgis Police and Fire Departments and Sturgis Public Schools.  It is a miniature version of a city that will be used to teach preschool children about bicycle, school bus, weather and other safety measures.

     The small city will be constructed at Wall School and a ground breaking ceremony is scheduled for Friday at 10 AM.

     As part of the project, Sturgis Police Youth Services Officer Ryan Banaszak says that the Brick Campaign is now underway. 

Paver bricks will be used to pave the crosswalks of Safety Town.  They are for sale for $50 each and the bricks can be engraved with the donors name and an inscription.

Deputy Police Chief David Ives says the project is being endorsed by the community as well.  Several businesses have already lined up to purchase a customized and painted building to reflect their business in town.

Final completion of the Safety Town Project is not expected until Spring of 2014.

Applications for the Brick Campaign can be picked up at the  Sturgis Police Department or downloaded from the City website at sturgismi.gov, under the public safety link.  Checks should be make out in the amount of $50 to Sturgis Police Department.

     (ANGOLA) – A plea agreement has been accepted for a Coldwater man charged in connection with a bank robbery.

     Fifty-four year old Karl Edward McNulty was ordered on Monday to serve four years of a six year sentence after admitting his guilt to a Class C felony of aiding in robbery.  He was also placed on probation for two years during his time in Steuben Superior Court.

     McNulty was originally scheduled to be sentenced on April 1 but he claimed he was misled by his court appointed attorney. McNulty said he was under the impression he could serve his time in community corrections.

     Judge William Fee denied McNulty’s request to withdraw his plea agreement at the time because he had not filed anything in writing.

     Indiana does not place Michigan residents into a community corrections program.  But since he has found a Steuben County residence, McNulty will be allowed to serve his time in community corrections.

          (LAGRANGE) – LaGrange County Council approved a ten year tax abatement for a rural Shipshewana company Monday morning.

LaGrange County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Keith Gillenwater requested the abatement on behalf of MuddOx, a manufacturer of specialty all terrain vehicles.

MuddOx owner Matt Oxender explained to council that they were purchasing another company, which basically will double their business.  

The 10 year abatements would cover $411,000 in real property improvements, $615,000 in new personal property and equipment, and about $31,000 in software and information technology equipment.

MuddOx currently employs nine people and plans to add another seven employees.

     (STURGIS) – Area police agencies recovered two stolen automobiles along with stolen property.

     Friday afternoon the Sturgis Police and the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department found a car that had been crashed and abandoned in the 200 block of North Nottawa Street.  The investigation revealed that the automobile had been stolen by three Hispanic youths near Cromwell, Indiana.

     Officers also learned that the suspects took a second vehicle from near North and West Streets, which was spotted at the Wal Mart Store on South Centreville Road.  The suspects had entered the store and were trying to steal some clothes.

     Once they were confronted the subjects fled on foot.  Two of them were arrested.  One will be tried as an adult and one as a juvenile.

     Charges in Michigan against the two are auto theft, retail fraud and possession of stolen property.  They also face charges in Indiana.

     Anyone with information on the location of the third suspect is asked to call the Sturgis Police Department on the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department.

     (STURGIS) – A Sturgis man is behind bars after crashing his vehicle into another automobile.

     Sturgis Police were called to the 200 block of Jacob Street just after 12 AM Sunday to investigate a motor vehicle accident.

     Officers arrived at the scene and made contact with a 27 year old Sturgis man who was operating one of the vehicles involved in the incident.

     During their investigation, officers learned that the man had collided with an unoccupied vehicle parked on Jacob Street.  The force of the collision forced the unoccupied vehicle into the front lawn of a residence, causing severe damage to both automobiles.

     The man was arrested on the suspicion of operating while intoxicated.  No injuries were reported.

     (LAGRANGE TOWNSHIP) – A Cassopolis man was injured over the weekend after crashing his motorcycle.

     The Cass County Sheriff’s Department was called to Okefe Road just north of Shurte Road at 7:35 Sunday night for a personal injury accident.

     Deputies say that 52 year old Anthony Karasch was traveling north when he lost control of his motorcycle and ran off the roadway, hitting a ditch.  Karasch was taken to Borgess Lee Memorial Hospital for treatment of his injuries.

     Deputies say that Karasch was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.