All Michigan families eligible for food assistance benefits are receiving an additional monthly payment in January in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recently announced. Eligible clients will see additional food assistance benefits on their Bridge Card from Saturday through Jan. 24. These benefits will be loaded onto Bridge Cards as a separate …

Lori Higgins, client services director for the Pregnancy Helpline Center, said the agency has secured a video-parenting curriculum that might be of interest to soon-to-be parents. Higgins said one-on-one parenting programs are available for dads and moms who are expecting, and for parents of newborn to 2 years of age. Pregnancy Helpline Center has trained men and women mentors eager …

Two annual financial allocations by St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners are expected to be made next week. During their executive committee meeting Tuesday, commissioners agreed to continue their once-a-year payments to Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of St. Joseph County, and the Community Health Agency that oversees St. Joseph, Branch and Hillsdale counties. Finance director Angie Steinman …

Centreville Board of Education members are expected to have an interim superintendent in place within two weeks. With Stephanie Lemmer poised to leave the district for Pennfield Schools before the end of the month, the board agreed during a special meeting Monday to follow through on pursuing someone from a small group of potential candidates. Based on board feedback, it …

State Sen. Kim LaSata, has announced she will run for re-election in the newly created State Senate District 17, created as a result of the Independent Redistricting Commission. LaSata, who is completing her first four-year term in 2022, presently represents a majority of the new 17th Senate District. LaSata will continue to serve constituents within the current 21st district through …

A barn was deemed a total loss as a result of a fire Monday night in Mottville Township. The incident happened around 8 p.m. on a mile-long driveway in the 69000 block of Blue School Road. White Pigeon Fire Chief Tyler Royce said with the colder weather, several departments were called to help with mutual aid for water shuffle. The …

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services notified Van Buren/Cass District Health Department that the Omicron variant has been identified in a Cass County resident. Health officer Danielle Persky said although between Cass and Van Buren County there are now two Omicron variants identified, it can be safely assumed there are many others given the speed at which Omicron …

A Sturgis man Rodney Combs, 51, will serve a minimum 10 years in prison after grooming a teenaged girl for sex. Combs pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal sexual conduct in regard to one incident during the two-year relationship, which started in 2017. The teen chose to not comment at sentencing or testify about the relationship. St. Joseph County Chief Assistant …

A new batch of employees has been hired by Glen Oaks Community College. Ayla Wilder joins Glen Oaks as director of housing operations and residential life. Wilder is from the University of Indianapolis. Michael Elliott is the new assistant director of residential life. Elliott is a Glen Oaks alum who also coaches the Viking men’s basketball team. Sara Kohler has …

Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency last week was notified of the first identified cases of the Omicron variant in St. Joseph County. Medical director Karen Luparello said it is important to know that not all COVID tests are sequenced, so it is likely there are additional cases. She encourages residents to continue using standard-mitigation strategies that include staying home if …