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A Centreville man was arrested following a standoff with law-enforcement personnel last week in Centreville. Sheriff Chad Spence said department officials encountered 44-year-old Isaiah Merkle shortly before 4 p.m. July 13 in a secure area where patrol vehicles and the jail-intake entrance are located. Spence said Merkle had driven a vehicle onto the sidewalk next to the department and stopped …

A 30-year-old Colon man died in a single-vehicle crash last week in Branch County’s Matteson Township. Sheriff Fred Blankenship said deputies responded shortly after 4:30 a.m. Friday to an area on Colon Road near Whitmore Road. Their response was triggered by an iPhone Crash Detection alert. Investigators said a 2024 Malibu went off Colon Road in an area west of …

Michigan’s unemployment rate declined in June, according to the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. Department officials said the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell by one-tenth of a percentage point, to 5 percent, in June. In addition, the report shows Michigan employers added about 3,000 payroll jobs during the month, matching employment levels in June 2025.

A new EPIC-MRA poll commissioned by the “.05 Saves Lives” commission shows strong support for lowering Michigan’s blood alcohol content limit from eight-tenths of a percent to five-tenths of a percent. According to WGVU radio, the poll found 68 percent support the idea, 26 percent oppose and 6 percent are undecided. Research found a blood alcohol content of .05 percent …

A partnership for food service is being proposed between St. Joseph County’s largest and its smallest K-12 school districts. Sturgis Public Schools Superintendent Art Ebert said finance director Ray Sterling noted Burr Oak Community Schools has inquired about a food-service partnership. The proposal would involve Taher Inc. Food Service. If a deal is reached, Burr Oak would be designated as …

Honor Credit Union is sponsoring a “shred day” this week at Wings Event Center. The public is invited to bring up to 10 boxes of papers, which will be shredded by an industrial shredder. It takes place 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Participants are asked to simply drive up to the drop-off location and volunteers will take all papers to …

Insight Hospital and Medical Center in Coldwater has announced it is hosting a community health event in the fall. The Sept. 26 “Community Health Festival” is being billed as a day dedicated to health, wellness and community connection. It will feature free health screenings, information about services, a chance to meet with providers, and kids games and a bounce house. …

The St. Joe County Animal Rescue Fund (ARF) will be conducting a fundraiser Saturday, August 1, from 9 AM until 3 PM at Family Farm and Home, just off Broadway Road, west of US-131, in Three Rivers. The famous Doggy Wash will include a shampoo, ear cleaning, and for the pups that will allow it, a nail trimming. All of …

Michigan Nurses Association has filed a lawsuit against Sturgis Hospital, alleging the hospital violated federal law by failing to properly notify employees before closing its doors a month ago. According to News Channel 3, the lawsuit was filed July 10 and claims the hospital violated the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act. The WARN Act requires employers to provide …

Early voting ahead of the August primary starts next week. County election officials said eligible voters may begin voting July 25 through Aug. 2 at the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department Training Center. Its location is 602 E. Main St., in Centreville. The site is open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends. More …