Regional economic development catalyst Southwest Michigan First announced it has secured an anonymous gift of land along with a $100 million commitment for construction of a world-class Career and Technical Education Center on the gifted parcel. Carla Sones, president and interim CEO of Southwest Michigan First, said local educators and employers have talked for years about the need for a …

During a work session before their regular meeting Wednesday, the Sturgis City Commission and city officials interviewed three candidates, one for the Precinct 2 seat being vacated this month by Justin Wickey and the At-Large seat left vacant by the recent death of Jon Good. Brandon Kinsey, Aaron Miller and Luis Perez were interviewed in alphabetical order, each for 13 …

Glen Oaks Community College is a newly available site for free COVID-19 testing and vaccinations for students, employees and the community. The services begin Tuesday. Coordinated through a three-way partnership among Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency and Glen Oaks, the weekly clinics will be held 9 a.m. to noon, and 1 to 5 …

St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Deputies and officers from the Sturgis Police Department arrested an Indiana man after using stop sticks to slow the vehicle he was driving. Law-enforcement officials said LaGrange County Sheriff’s Department deputies on Monday pursued a vehicle heading north out of Indiana and into Sturgis. Sturgis police continued the pursuit. Sheriff’s officials, meanwhile, deployed stop sticks, which …

Three Rivers Community Schools will soon be starting its search for a new superintendent. Ron Moag announced this week he is resigning in order to take a job in Washington state. His resignation was accepted during Monday’s board of education meeting. His last day was Monday but his resignation will be effective at the end of next week. Moag, 57, …

Centreville Public Schools approved the hiring of two aides to assist with early elementary grade levels. During their meeting Monday, the board OK’d one aide position for Centreville Elementary’s three kindergarten classes and another for its three first-grade sections. The district is allocating about $45,000 to fill the positions, Superintendent Stephanie Lemmer said. In other action, board members approved the …

An annual tradition to remember victims of domestic violence and honor survivors was held Tuesday in Centreville. Sponsored by the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Services agency, the 2021 candlelight vigil took place outside the St. Joseph County Courthouse. The theme of this year’s gathering was “Remember My Name.” DASAS has organized the candlelight vigil for several years.

A road-improvement project in Sturgis is more than halfway complete. Work on rebuilding Vinewood Avenue and East Congress Street started almost a month ago and is on target to be completed Oct. 30. City officials said Vinewood has not been repaved since 1974 and improvement is necessary based on the street’s current condition, rated as 2 out of a possible 10. …

A Cassopolis High School student was arrested Monday and charged with terroristic threats after the district and Cass County Sheriff’s Department received tips over the weekend. Sheriff Richard Behnke said school officials and the sheriff’s department on Sunday separately received tips related to an individual making threats of violence at the school. School and law-enforcement personnel maintained a high presence …

New coronavirus cases leaped in Michigan in the week ending Sunday, rising 10.6 percent, as 29,611 cases were reported. The previous week had 26,768 new cases of COVID-19. St. Joseph County reported 215 cases and four deaths in the latest week. A week earlier, it had reported 262 cases and one death. Throughout the pandemic, it has reported 7,837 cases …