St. Joseph County officials formally said goodbye and good luck to their soon-to-be-retired finance director. A resolution honoring Judie Ratering was read and subsequently approved by the five-member board of commissioners during their meeting Tuesday. Read by commissioner Ken Malone, the resolution acknowledged Ratering’s nine years as finance director and 11 years previously as a treasurer’s department employee. Board chairman …

Members of the Sturgis American Legion Post 73 took time over Thanksgiving to assemble meals for the Sturgis community. Legion volunteers put together and handed out almost 100 single-serving Thanksgiving meals that included turkey, potatoes, gravy, a vegetable and stuffing. Members spent Tuesday through Thursday shopping, cooking, carving and serving. Legion members who assisted were Harold Melvin, Tom Clewley, Jim …

St. Joseph County commissioners this week approved several nominations and appointments to various boards and commissions in advance of new terms starting in 2021. They are: *Animal Control Advisory Board: Lori Lammon, Suzanne Lee and Dan Czajkowski, three-year terms. *Board of Public Works: Robert Horton, three years. *Building Authority Board: Kathy Humphreys, term expires in August. *Central Dispatch Policy Board: …

Here’s a reminder that Covered Bridge Healthcare is offering free flu shots at its Centreville office, 658 E. Main St. The agency said drop-ins are welcome but an advance phone call would be preferred. No insurance is required and for people who do have insurance, it will not be billed. Covered Bridge Healthcare can be reached at 467-3228.

St. Joseph County United Way recently presented $18,000 to the local Children’s Trauma Assessment Group. The donation will help CTAG with its mission of assisting children in foster care and in transition with trauma. Kelly Hostelter, United Way executive director, said an anonymous donor contributed $10,000. Meanwhile, a Mendon donor has contributed funds to help Mendon-area children, translating to $2,000 …

Recent promotions of Sturgis Public Safety Director Ryan Banaszak and deputy director of public safety Andrew Strudwick were acknowledged last week through a pinning ceremony at the Sturgis City Commission meeting. The wives of Banaszak and Strudwick pinned the badges to their spouse’s dress uniforms. City manager Mike Hughes said Sturgis is fortunate to have Banaszak and Strudwick as leaders …

A man involved in a Nov. 10 hours-long standoff faces felony charges, following arraignment in St. Joseph County District Court. William Michael Wright, 35, was charged with first-degree home invasion, according to jail records, as well as receiving and concealing stolen property. Wright entered a burned-out house on Findley Road near M-66 at 11:30 a.m. Police were notified and, after …

The city of Sturgis is offering a North Pole Express mailbox through Dec. 16 for children to deliver Christmas lists to Santa. The arrangement was created after the city’s DDA had to cancel this year’s Christmas in the City due to COVID- 19 gathering restrictions. The mailbox is located in front of the Sturgis police and fire station on North …

A Cass County resident was injured after a tree fell on him in Calvin Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called around 6 p.m. Sunday to the 18000 block of Brownsville Road. Investigators said 40-year-old RoMell Dungey was removing trees from his property when one fell on top of him. Authorities said his 14-year-old son removed the tree then …

Based on the overwhelming number of COVID-19 cases in Van Buren and Cass counties, the Van Buren/Cass District Health Department has made the decision to focus efforts on containing potential outbreaks. Recent cases have reported numerous close contacts, making contact tracing efforts difficult to sustain. Even with assistance from partner organizations and increased staffing, capacity has been reached. As a …