Sturgis City Commission members will interview two candidates for a vacant seat on the council, prior to its regular meeting Wednesday. Following commissioner Karl Littman’s resignation, city officials sought applications for the appointment to the unexpired term of the Precinct 4 commissioner. Frank Perez and Luis Perez are the two applicants for the vacancy. Candidates will be interviewed starting at …

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has announced expansion of its partnership with libraries offering free at-home testing kits to Michiganders. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan’s chief medical executive, said the partnership is one more tool to keep communities safe. She said testing has become convenient with many locations and the increased availability of over-the-counter tests. Participating libraries in the tri-county …

A fundraiser to support fire departments in two St. Joseph County Communities takes place next week. Amish members representing Colon and Burr Oak are offering a smoked pork chop and grilled chicken dinner 4 to 8 p.m. April 22. The event takes place at 59321 Nottawa Road, just north of Truckenmiller Road in Nottawa Township. Also on the menu is …

U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency in Michigan announced St. Joseph County residents who are owners of non-industrial, private forests damaged by the series of storms last August are encouraged to apply for the Emergency Forest Restoration Program for cost-share assistance in restoring their disaster-damaged forest. The application deadline is May 13. Tim Boring, Farm Service Agency director in Michigan, said …

Centreville Public Schools Board of Education members recently approved a contract with the Centreville Education Association. During its meeting March 28, the board agreed to terms of a one-year contract, which covers 47 staff members. Union members agreed to the contract during a vote March 25. Interim superintendent Chad Brady said negotiations were resolved over the course of just three …

Sheriff’s deputies were called last week to investigate the theft of irrigation wire from a location in Sturgis Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies were called to the area of U.S. 12 and Elaine Drive. The victim told authorities an unspecified amount of irrigation wire was taken prior to the date the incident was reported.

Constantine municipal officials Monday approved a two-year contract for village manager Mark Honeysett. Honeysett’s previous contract expired March 31. With a new contract in hand, Honeysett’s annual salary is $88,000. Village council members were asked to prepare an assessment of the past performance of the village manager. Results were compiled, summarized and presented in a six-page report, which was reviewed by the personnel …

Michigan Department of Transportation officials said $196 million in federal COVID relief funds appropriated by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Legislature will allow the state to execute Phase II of MDOT’s bridge-bundling program, beginning later this year. In all, 19 bridges – including one in Nottawa Township – were selected for rehabilitation. The bridge in question is on Nottawa Road, south …

Here’s a reminder that the first Fresh Food Distribution events in April will be next week. It 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 April Thursday. Three distributions will occur on …

Constantine Village Manager Mark Honeysett and fire chief Mike Haydon met with attorney Catherine Kaufman this week to discuss the process to institute a special assessment for public safety services. Honeysett said they discussed a pressing need for a new fire station and other fire department equipment, an increase in the cost of ambulance service in the village and an …