The Michigan Senate Finance Committee last week heard testimony on legislation sponsored by Sen. Kim LaSata to aid new farmers entering the industry and helping preserve Michigan’s agricultural history. Senate Bill 697 would grant a tax credit to a farmer who rents or sells an agricultural asset – including land, livestock, machinery and buildings – to a beginning farmer. Under the …

A southwestern Michigan man faces prison time and can no longer hunt in the state after pleading guilty to charges stemming from illegal deer poaching, authorities said. Justin Ernst, 33, pleaded guilty last week in Van Buren County to one count each of possession of a firearm and obtaining a hunting license when ineligible and three counts of illegal taking/possessing …

A Sturgis man will serve up to 10 years in prison following a series of crimes he committed over the past year and a half. Kyle Miller, 34, was sentenced recently by St. Joseph County Circuit Judge Paul Stutesman. Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Josh Robare added that Miller failed to show up for his scheduled sentencing last September. In April 2020, …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department held a ceremony Thursday to recognize its employees of the year – one from road patrol, the other from its correctional division. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman said deputy of the year is Kevin Penn. Penn is a member of the Uniformed Services Division and assigned to general county patrol. He has been with the agency …

An item related to support for a potential name change of Fishers Lake was pulled from the agenda of Tuesday’s county commission meeting. County administrator Teresa Doehring said petitioners backing the proposed change to Fisher Lake asked that the matter be tabled until further notice. Petitioners were seeking the county’s support for the proposed change of identification before the issue …

Members of the St. Joseph County Intermediate School District Board of Education this week approved increases in pay for substitute teachers and substitute assistant teachers for 2021-22, effective this week. Full-day substitute teacher pay rates jumped from $100 to $125, while half-day substitute teachers will receive $62.50, an increase from $50. Meanwhile, floating substitute teacher pay increased to $140 per day, …

Dennis Allen was acknowledged this week for his four years as chairman of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. During their meeting Tuesday, county commission members recognized Allen with a plaque and an abundance of kind words. Board vice-chair Dan Czajkowski – in the absence of board chair Kathy Pangle – said Allen was a good and reliable leader …

The St. Joseph County United Way has announced the date of an upcoming, well-attended fundraiser. The agency’s annual golf outing will take place May 13 at St. Joe Valley Golf Course. Tee time for the 18-hole scramble is 10 a.m. Event organizers said opportunities to participate, sponsor or volunteer are available. Cost is $85 per individual or $280 per foursome, …

Three Rivers DDA and Main Street is hosting its annual trivia night fundraiser. It starts at 7 p.m. March 18 and will be held at A Place In Time banquet hall in downtown Three Rivers. Cost is $30 per person or $200 per table, with a maximum of eight people peer table. Prizes will be awarded to the top three …

A small but critical step toward a permanent superintendent was taken Monday by Centreville Public Schools Board of Education members. Board members worked with Patrick Kreger, a consultant with Michigan Association of School Boards, to go over one-on-one conversations and survey results. Based on his experience, Kreger said Centreville can expect most applicants to be current building administrators interested in …