State Sen. Kim LaSata last week joined local leaders and emergency management officials on a tour of St. Joseph County, as they continue work to determine the scope of damage and where resources could be used most efficiently. LaSata drafted a request for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to declare a state of emergency for the area. The governor has since granted that request, making …

Thanks to funding from Centreville Athletic Boosters and the district’s board of education, the high school’s football scoreboard and its two gymnasium scoreboards were replaced last week. Athletic director Jill Peterson said the new scoreboards cost almost $50,000 and the expense was split evenly between the two sources. The previous football scoreboard had been in place since the stadium opened …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services have secured a $13 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration for 51 rural hospitals in Michigan to support COVID-19 testing and mitigation. Sturgis Hospital and Three Rivers Health are among the recipients. Rural hospitals with fewer than 50 staff members will be able to use the funds for testing equipment, personnel, …

It appears the PBS-produced documentary about the St. Joseph River, which premiered over the weekend, was a hit. More than 80 people assembled Saturday inside the barn at Covered Bridge Farm County Park to check out an advance screening of the hour-long program, which featured a number of river-related landmarks and points of interest in St. Joseph County. Over the …

The Center for Disease Control has issued an addendum to the standing order for COVID in regards to third-dose vaccinations and individual eligibility. According to the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency, this addendum applies to individuals with a compromised immune system and who have completed vaccination using either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.  Those who received Johnson & Johnson are …

St. Joseph County sheriff’s deputies responded last week to a report of a stolen car in Lockport Township. Deputies were called Thursday to the 17000 block of Apache Trail. Investigators said the vehicle was stolen between 1:30 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. The vehicle is a blue 2012 Ford Escape. It had a peace sign sticker in the back window and …

More than 30 people last week picked up $50 gift cards and an entry into a drawing by receiving a COVID vaccine in White Pigeon. Those who participated in Wednesday’s clinic were entered into a drawing to win a Play Station 5. In addition, free hamburgers and hot dogs were available. The event was organized by Kelly Hostetler, St. Joseph …

Three locations on Saturday will be staging an advance screening of a documentary on the St. Joseph River. Produced by PBS network WNIT-TV of South Bend, “Then, Now & Always … The St. Joseph River Story,” will air on network television Sept. 9. But the advance screenings will take place at 4:30 p.m. at Covered Bridge Farm County Park north …

Two Sturgis men were arrested this week on drug-related offenses following an agency investigation. A search warrant was executed at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the 600 block of St. Joseph Street in Sturgis, where a several-weeks investigation led by Southwest Enforcement Team had been ongoing. SWET officials said the investigation involved surveillance of a home known for drug activity. At …

Michigan State Police agency is seeking volunteers to assist with its “Angel” program, which allows an individual struggling with addiction to walk into any post and ask for assistance without fear of arrest or investigation. Angel volunteers respond to assist MSP post personnel in locating the appropriate treatment option and with transporting the participant to a treatment center. Volunteers are …