A longtime county employee is ending his career on a high note later this month. Dennis Brandenburg, who has served as director of the county’s E-911 Central Dispatch center since October 2014, plans to retire April 28. Combined with his time as a member of the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department and subsequent years as a dispatcher, Brandenburg has been …

The Three Rivers Lions Club has established a new scholarship in memory of the wife of a longtime club member. Lion Dave Miller’s wife, Denise, passed away in late February. Using donations in her memory, club members decided to create a new scholarship designated for a Three Rivers High School senior who plans a career in the trades. This unique …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating the theft of scrap metal and a trail camera. Investigators were told by the victim that the thefts occurred in the early morning hours April 4 from a business in the 21000 block of U.S. 12 in White Pigeon Township.

Michigan reported fewer coronavirus cases in the week ending Sunday, adding nearly 3,800 new cases. That’s down 30.6 percent from the previous week’s tally of more than 5,400 new cases of the virus that causes COVID-19. St. Joseph County reported 12 cases and no deaths in the latest week. Throughout the pandemic it has reported 13,667 cases and 204 deaths. …

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.