TODAY: Partly cloudy and windy with a high of 68.

TONIGHT: Partly cloudy and a low of 48.

THURSDAY: Partly cloudy and breezy with a high of 68.

THURSDAY NIGHT: Clear skies and a low of 48.

FRIDAY: Partly cloudy in the morning then turning mostly sunny with a high of 76.

SATURDAY: Cloudy with a 50 percent chance of 0showers. High of 78.

SUNDAY: Partly cloudy and a high of 79.

MONDAY: Sunny skies with a high of 78.

Depot Building On Commission Agenda
9/8/2010 – 3:55 PM
Mike Stiles
(STURGIS) – The Depot Building is just one of the many items on tonight's agenda for the Sturgis City Commission. During their last meeting, the Commission heard an update on the historic building, located at 200 West Main Street, which houses the Sturgis Area Chamber Of Commerce and the Sturgis Historical Society. Over the last few years, the building has developed some roof leaks and other issues. Consultant Blair Bates told the Commissioners there are other matters with the building that need to be addressed in addition to the roof. The Commission agreed that they would like to save the building, but they are concerned about finances to keep it around. Tonight the Commission will discuss the option of hiring an architectural contractor to examine the building and make a recommendation back to the City. In other business, the Commission will hear a revision to the Kirsch Municipal Airport 10 Year Plan and be presented with a contract for the runway/taxiway project at the Airport. Tonight's meeting starts at 7 PM in the Wiesloch Room of City Hall and is open to the public.

The Sturgis Depot Building (photo courtesy of Mike Stiles/WBET News)

United Way Needs Help With Silent Auction
9/8/2010 – 3:55 PM
Mike Stiles
(CENTREVILLE) – The St. Joseph County Grange Fair will be getting started in a couple of weeks. One of the events that goes on during Fair week is the St. Joseph County United Way's Silent Auction. This is the fifth year the United Way will be doing the silent auction as a fund raising devise, and Executive Director Kelly Hostetler says she is looking forward to it. United Way Executive Assistant Kaitlyn Schultz says there is a little bit of everything up for auction in the tent this year. Hostetler says many businesses and individuals have donated either items or given cash for the Unite Way to purchase items in their name. If you would like to help out in that way, you can call the United Way office at 269-467-9099. They will take items for auction until September 19.

County Hears Easement Vacation Requests
9/8/2010 – 3:55 PM
Tim Murray
(LAGRANGE) – LaGrange County Commissioners heard three requests to vacate easements or rights of way in the county during their Tuesday meeting. They rejected one, approved another and tabled action on the third. The rejected request from two adjacent property owners was to vacate 30 feet of lakefront easement at Little Turkey Lake. One of them, Dan Camp, told the Commission the easement has never been used by anyone. But because the easement leads directly to the lake, Commissioner and Phil Curtis could not support the request to vacate it. Commissioner George Bachman agreed with Curtis The second request was to vacate a stub of a drive that ends in the middle of a lot at Westler Lake. That property owner wants to build a garage on his lot, and the Commission approved that request. The Commission tabled a request to vacate an undeveloped alley in the village of Ontario until they can determine if part of the alley was already vacated.

Police Look For Man Who Harassed A Child
9/8/2010 – 9:20 AM
Mike Stiles
(CENTREVILLE) – Authorities are looking for a man who harassed a young girl over the weekend. The St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department was called to the Village Market in Centreville around 8 PM Saturday. The girl told officers she was walking in front of the store when a guy with bright red hair driving a black car pulled along side of her, called her “Tammy” and told her to get into the car. The girl refused and went into a nearby business. Witnesses and video surveillance show the suspect is a white man, approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 250 pounds. He has short red hair with a receding hair line and red facial hair cut short. He was last seen wearing a light blue polo shirt with dark blue pants and black sandals with white socks. Anyone with information on this subject is asked to call the Sheriff's Department at 467-9045 and ask for extension 315.

Busy Year For Prosecutor's Office
9/8/2010 – 9:20 AM
Mike Stiles
(CENTREVILLE) – Last year was busy for the St. Joseph County Prosecutor and his office. Prosecutor John McDonough gave his department's 2009 annual report to the St. Joseph County Commission during their Tuesday meeting. McDonough says the number one criminal problem in the County continues to be the manufacturing of methamphetamine. McDonough says he and the police departments around the County are working on the matter. In 2009, McDonough says 1024 felony warrant requests were made by his office. That's an increase of five from 2008, but below the 1446 that were issued in 2004. McDonough says the warrant requests in St. Joseph County are about double what Branch and Cass County issue.

Update On Cass County PI
9/8/2010 – 9:20 AM
Mike Stiles
(CASSOPOLIS) – A Cass County woman is in serious condition following a two vehicle collision Saturday night. Sheriff Joseph Underwood says 57 year old Teri Chaffee of Jones was driving north on Calvin Center Road when she was struck by a vehicle driven by 53 year old Carrie Auer of Dowagiac, who was eastbound on Brownsville Street and failed to yield the right of way. Chaffee was taken to Borgess Lee Memorial ospital for treatment of her injuries, and then flow to Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. Underwood says seatbelts were worn and the accident remains under investigation.

Commissioners Discuss K-2 Sales
9/8/2010
Tim Murray
(LAGRANGE) – The possession, sale and use of the synthetic marijuana know as K2 or Spice is likely to be illegal everywhere in LaGrange County soon. LaGrange County Commissioners approved an ordinance banning the substance in unincorporated areas of the County during their meeting Tuesday morning. In drafting the ordinances, County Attorney Kurt Bachman says he sought consistency with the ordinances being passed by the incorporated towns in the County. Shipshewana and LaGrange have approved similar bans, and Bachman expects Wolcottville will do likewise.

Back To School In Michigan
9/7/2010 – 8:15 AM
Mike Stiles
(UNDATED) – Beware as you head out today. It's the first day of school in Michigan. And that means school buses will be on the roads making frequent stops as they pick up students. Also, many young people will be walking to school, so be careful at cross walks near school buildings. And also be aware of students who may dart out between parked cars near schools as well.

Constantine Man Killed In Car Crash
9/7/2010 – 8:15 AM
Mike Stiles
(CONSTANTINE TOWNSHIP) – A Constantine man is dead following a single vehicle crash Monday night. St. Joseph County Sheriff Brad Balk says 24 year old Matthew Lee Nipper was driving west on Riverside Drive at a high rate of speed just after 11 PM Monday in a stolen vehicle when he lost control of the vehicle, going off the road and crashing into several trees and a power pole. Nipper was pronounced dead at the scene. Deputies were assisted by the Michigan State Police, Constantine Fire Department and Life Care Ambulance. The crash remains under investigation.

Quincy Man Arrested Following Assault And Standoff
9/7/2010 – 8:15 AM
Jim Measel
(QUINCY) – A Quincy man is in custody following a Sunday night incident in which police say they were threatened with a fire axe. The Branch County Sheriff's Department and the Michigan State Police were called to a home on Cole Street just after 8:30 PM. They say the suspect, 35 year old Kolby William Kimble, was seen walking away from the home. After deputies confronted him, he managed to get away on foot. While police were talking to the alleged victim, deputies say they saw the suspect come back to the home where he got in through a window. Officers say they were threatened with a fire axe at one points as they tried to talk to Kimble. A perimeter was set up around the home as police negotiators tried to contact Kimble. They say he was arrested just before midnight when he stepped out of the house to taunt officers a third time. Kimble was booked at the Branch County Jail for domestic assault and probation violation.

Portion Of U.S. 131 To Be Closed
9/7/3010 – 8:15 AM
Mike Stiles
(THREE RIVERS) – Starting today, a portion of U.S. 131 north of Three Rivers will be closed to through traffic. Officials with the Michigan Department of Transportation say there will be single lane closures on northbound and southbound U.S. 131 from north of Wilber Road to the Kalamazoo County Line. Crews will be installing a median barrier, and the closures will be in effect until Friday October 15. Vehicles wider than 12 feet will be prohibited in the construction zone. Officials say drivers may want to use an alternate route.

Bicyclist Struck In Eden Township
9/7/2010 – 8:15 AM
Tim Murray
(EDEN TOWNSHIP) – A bicyclist was injured after being struck by a car Sunday evening in LaGrange County's Eden Township. Forteen year old Carl Schrock suffered leg and back pain and was transported to Parkview LaGrange Hospital just before 9 PM. Police say Schrock was riding the bicycle north on County Road 1200 West when he was struck by a northbound car driven by 21 year old Eric Bontrager of Topeka. Topeka Police assisted LaGrange County deputies at the scene.

Cass County PI
9/7/2010 – 8:15 AM
Mike Stiles
(CASSOPOLIS) – A Cass County woman was injured in a two vehicle collision Saturday night. Sheriff Joseph Underwood says 57 year old Teri Chaffee of Jones was driving north on Calvin Center Road when she was struck by a vehicle driven by 53 year old Carrie Auer of Dowagiac, who was eastbound on Brownsville Street and failed to yield the right of way. Chaffee was taken to Borgess Lee Memorial Hospital for treatment of her injuries, and then flow to Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. Her condition has not been released. Underwood says seatbelts were worn and the accident remains under investigation.