The village of Constantine has applied for funding through the American Rescue Plan Act. Village manager Mark Honeysett said all municipalities in the state are eligible. According to the Department of the Treasury, Constantine is eligible for more than $220,000. Payments would be split over two years, with restrictions on how the money is spent. It may be used to invest in …
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Engine stolen from boat
Michigan State Police troopers are investigating the larceny of a boat engine from a residence in Branch County last week. Investigators said the incident took place in the night but before morning Saturday on Union Lake in Sherwood Township. Suspects entered the boat from another vessel on the lake. The engine is described as a 2005 Honda, 4-stroke engine. It …
Read More »Material shortages cause delay in bridge renovation
Constantine Village Manager Mark Honeysett said renovation of the U.S. 131 Business Route bridge over the St. Joseph River is a month behind schedule. Honeysett said the delay is attributed to a shortage of materials. Decking will be complete by the end of the month and use of the bridge will switch from one lane on the east side to one lane on the west …
Read More »Glen Oaks names new AD
Mike Rasmussen has been named athletic director at Glen Oaks Community College. Rasmussen comes from Colon Jr./Sr. High School, where he served as its principal. He previously was employed by White Pigeon Community Schools. Rasmussen graduated with an associate’s degree in 2001 from Glen Oaks and was selected as the President’s Award recipient.
Read More »Sheriff seeks help identifying sport bike driver
Sheriff Mark A. Lillywhite and deputies are requesting the public’s assistance in identifying the driver of a blue sport bike. The agency’s interest stems from a pursuit on Fawn River Road around 10 a.m. Friday, Lillywhite said.
Read More »County commission approves hiring freeze exemptions
St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners last week agreed to exemptions to the county’s hiring freeze for one position at district court, and five spots with the sheriff’s department. Tabitha Wedge, District Court administrator/magistrate, was given approval to fill the position of deputy clerk for the court’s civil division. Meanwhile, undersheriff Jason Bingaman was authorized to fill five positions within …
Read More »Local health department will recommend masks in school
A key figure with the local health department said it will recommend, but probably not mandate, that school districts adopt universal masking in grades K-12 when classes resume for the 2021-22 academic year. Rebecca Burns, health officer for the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency, appeared Tuesday before St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. Burns provided her annual report for 2020, …
Read More »Evaluation planned to create master plan for Camp Eberhart
The YMCA of Greater Michiana Board of Directors has announced a partnership with Benton Harbor-based Abonmarche Consultants to develop a facility master plan for the Y’s Camp Eberhart in Fabius Township. Mark Weber, CEO of YMCA of Greater Michiana, said many old and historic buildings on Camp Eberhart’s property need to be preserved and renovated. Weber said there is a …
Read More »Woman sentenced to probation for embezzling
A Sturgis woman was sentenced to probation and ordered to pay restitution for embezzling more than $180,000 from a Three Rivers real estate company. Jill Schmidt, 46, will be on probation two years for embezzling more than $183,000 from her former employer, REMAX Elite Group, where she had worked for 14 years. She was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Paul …
Read More »Woman injured in Burr Oak Township crash
A Burr Oak woman was treated for minor injuries after the vehicle she was driving was rear-ended last week in Burr Oak Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies were called around 6:30 a.m. Friday to the intersection of U.S. 12 and Halfway Road in response to a two-vehicle collision. Investigators said Rebecca Smallwood, 36, was driving west and began slowing …
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