COVID-19 infections are still reported daily, but not to the extent of early 2022 and before. Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency medical director Karen Luparello said the virus now is similar to the flu or a common cold with most of the same symptoms. Luparello, however, said that bit of news is not a reason for the public to let …

Construction is underway for a new Hydro Aluminum plant in Cassopolis. Hydro Aluminum officials, who toured the location with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer last week, said the plant will bring nearly 100 new jobs to the area. The facility will take in raw aluminum and recycled scrap, and produce aluminum bars. Hydro officials said area business have expressed an interest in …

A month after announcing its presence at Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport and non-stop service to Orlando, Avelo Air last week stated it is adding a new destination from AZO. The Texas-based airline staged a media gathering Thursday to announce it is expanding its service to Fort Myers. The non-stop service will take place twice weekly and start in November. Company …

The Cass County Prosecutor’s office has released the name of the man accused of shooting and killing a relative in Edwardsburg. Authorities said Gary Shaw, 54, has been arraigned on a felony charge of open murder. The charge stems from an incident Wednesday last week, when authorities responded to Shaw’s residence on Redfield Street after neighbors reported hearing gunshots. Investigators …

The Sturgis Salvation Army has announced it is once again offering lunch. Meals are offered 11:30 a.m. until noon Mondays thru Thursdays at the Salvation Army Corps office, 105 N. Fourth St.

St. Joseph County Intermediate School District Superintendent Teresa Belote said the area’s shortage of education-related employees is still a real problem. When superintendents from around St. Joseph County met Aug. 9, there were 95 open positions across the county. The shortage is in several areas, including teachers and all school staff positions. Since the meeting earlier this month, some positions …

Constantine Village Council members were recently informed there will be a delay for completion of their new wastewater treatment plant. Matt Johnson, regional manager for engineer firm Fleis & VandenBrink, said the treatment plant project is in a holding period, as all documents to install the new sewer facility remain under review by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes …

Baby-formula manufacturer Abbott Nutrition has announced plans to expand operations at its Sturgis plant. Sturgis municipal officials recently approved a site plan for the 35,000-square-foot expansion. Abbott’s Sturgis plant is on North Centerville Road and the expansion will add to the facility’s warehouse building, a 1,060-square-foot water-treatment room and a boiler/compressor requiring in excess of 12,000-square-feet in space. Circulation improvements …

The leaders in five of St. Joseph County’s nine public schools are starting their first year as superintendents. Most districts started this week and first-year leaders are: Shelly McBride in White Pigeon; Joseph Holloway in Constantine; Rachel Kowalski in Colon; Chad Brady in Centreville; and Nikki Nash in Three Rivers. Brady and Nash served as interim superintendent in their respective …

Constantine Village Manager Mark Honeysett has been directed to take bids on demolition of the Clare Hoffman house, which is owned by the village. Located at 270 E. Water St., the house requires rehabilitation at a cost of more than $200,000, and probably considerably more to meet ADA standards, Honeysett said. The village received $221,000 in American Rescue Plan Acts …