Pam Keeslar has been named the 2022 recipient of the John E. Oster Award for Excellence in Teaching. She was honored Friday at the 60th anniversary gala of Sturgis Area Community Foundation. Keeslar has taught at Eastwood School for 24 years and holds a master’s degree in education. At Eastwood School, Keeslar goes above and beyond to support students and school …

A number of committee appointments were recently approved by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. Damon Knapp was added to the Community Mental Health Board, while Darci Skrzyniarz, Cathi Abbs, Anthony Heiser and Dennis Allen were re-appointed. Next, Michael O’Rourke was appointed to the county’s solid waste board. Diana Listin has been named to the St. Joseph County Transportation …

In the wake of a second consecutive millage-request defeat, Constantine Public Schools Superintendent Jim Wisely said he and district officials are attempting to figure out a logical next step. The district’s May 2 request for an additional two-tenths of a mill, which would have generated $38.8 million for various improvements, was defeated, 754 opposed to 442 in favor. Wisely said …

New coronavirus cases leaped in Michigan in the week ending May 8, rising 30 percent as nearly 19,000 cases were reported. The previous week had 14,482 new cases of the virus that causes COVID-19. St. Joseph County reported 21 cases and no deaths for the week. The highest number of weekly outbreaks on a per-person basis were in Washtenaw, Oakland …

Glen Oaks Community College last week staged its first in-person graduation ceremony since 2019, as about 130 of the school’s 181 graduates took part in Friday’s program. It was also livestreamed through various platforms. President David Devier recognized several individuals during the ceremony. Those receiving awards were: Outstanding Service Award – Tom Miller. Adjunct Faculty Teaching Excellence Award – Carmen …

March’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County decreased by four-tenths of a percent from February. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget was released recently. It showed St. Joseph County’s unemployment rate fell from 3.9 percent in February to 3.5 percent in March. The rate was 5.5 percent 12 months earlier. Meanwhile, Cass County …

Here’s a rundown of the nine remaining Fresh Food Distribution events in May. The next will take place at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Seventh-Day Adventist Church, east of Centreville on M-86. Then, First Presbyterian Church on Lakeview Avenue in Sturgis will host a distribution. It will take place at 4 o’clock Thursday. Three distributions will occur on May 19. The …

Michigan State Police troopers were dispatched to a Branch County location in response to a report of larceny. Troopers responded to the 1000 block of Colon Road in Matteson Township. The larceny is believed to have taken place between Feb. 1 and April 10. Items stolen include a metal wheelbarrow, a generator, a metal wagon chassis, scrap metal from a …

Firefighters from the Constantine Fire Department responded to a vehicle fire inside an attached garage earlier this week in Constantine Township. The department was summoned shortly after 2 a.m. Tuesday to the 15000 block of North Northpark Road. A firefighter who lives in the area and a state trooper were first to arrive. They noticed the vehicle’s engine area was …

I have a special talent.  I can jump straight up like “Tigger” .  I have energy!  I would like some training to feel love and be safe and secure.  I eat fast as I am afraid that I won’t have another meal.  I haven’t been around children, but I am comfortable around dogs.  I am eleven months old, I know …