St. Joseph County officials appear to have some momentum regarding an allocation of their American Rescue Plan Act funds. During their monthly board meeting Tuesday, county commissioners discussed various options regarding a $1 million allocation of an $11.8 million windfall received through the American Rescue Plan Act. It seems commissioners are going to make funds available to local entities, not-for-profit …

An all-volunteer group that operates under the St. Joseph Sheriff’s Department has received a state award. The Michigan Sheriff’s Association recently recognized St. Joseph County’s Victim Services Unit as the state’s “Unit of the Year.” The award was announced and presented at the conclusion of a Victim Services Unit annual training event in Lansing. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said St. Joseph …

Infant formula maker Abbott said Monday it has reached an agreement with U.S. health officials to restart production at its largest domestic factory in Sturgis, a key step toward easing a nationwide shortage tied to the plant’s shutdown earlier this year. Abbott did not immediately detail terms of the agreement reached with the Food and Drug Administration, which has been …

A Constantine man was sentenced to six months in jail for molesting a teen-age girl in 2020. Ollie McKinnie, 55, of Constantine, was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman for molesting a then-15-year-old girl at McKinnie’s home. McKinnie, a friend of the victim’s mother, admitted to assault with intent to commit second-degree criminal sexual conduct. Stutesman said there would …

New coronavirus cases leaped in Michigan in the week ending Sunday, rising 46 percent, as more than 27,000 cases were reported. The previous week had nearly 19,000 new cases of the virus that causes COVID-19. St. Joseph County reported 55 cases and zero deaths in the latest week. A week earlier, it had reported 21 cases and zero deaths. Throughout …

Two longtime Centreville residents were named the village’s “Citizens of the Year.” Village council members on Monday announced Doug and Nancy Schwartz will be recognized and receive a plaque during the 2022 Covered Bridge Days in July. The Centreville High School graduates have been married for more than 30 years, and their children and grandchildren have attended or currently attend …

Two White Pigeon men died after the motorcycles they were driving were struck from behind in Cass County’s Porter Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly after 4:30 a.m. Monday to the intersection of U.S. 12 and Baldwin Prairie Road. Investigators said motorcycles driven by Tanner Hull, 20, and William Kunz, 21, had slowed to turn left onto …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has partnered with Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Service of St. Joseph County to offer a free, weekly COVID-19 testing site. The first testing opportunity is today. It will continue 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays through the summer at CMH’s Administrative Entrance parking lot, 677 E. Main St. in Centreville. The Centreville …

A lifelong Three Rivers resident has been tapped to serve as the city’s Downtown Development Authority director. DDA board members last week selected Cameron Mains to replace Tricia Meyer. Mains, 23, is operations manager at GG’s Cookies in downtown Three Rivers. DDA officials said Mains is expected to graduate from Central Michigan University in December, with a business degree. Second …

Sheriff’s deputies were called to a location in Burr Oak Township to investigate the theft of irrigation wire. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said the incident occurred overnight between May 12 and 13 from a location on Hackman Road, near Needham Road.