Volunteers will fan out across lower Michigan starting this weekend to give state highway roadsides their first cleaning of 2024. The program began in Michigan in 1990. Today, around 2,900 groups have adopted more than 6,000 miles of state highway. In a typical year, volunteers collect 60,000 to 70,000 bags of trash, an estimated $5 million value for the state. …

Here’s a reminder that the second phase of U.S. 131 roadwork begins Monday in southern Kalamazoo County. Michigan Department of Transportation’s Nick Schirripa said the work will impact traffic flow in and around the village of Schoolcraft, as well as at a key intersection further north at Shaver Road. The seven-month project comes after MDOT crews in 2023 completed the …

St. Joseph County Department of Health and Human Services is staging a promotional campaign in hopes of securing residents interested in serving as foster parents. Agency officials said there are 112 children in foster care in the county but only 27 licensed foster homes. Furthermore, there are only seven foster homes licensed for children over the age of 13. DHHS …

I love to smell the flowers and see the butterflies.  They call me “Paddington.”  I am sweet, and loveable, and I love to relax on my pillow.  I am picky about my treats.  I get along with kids and I am a male, about three years old.   My docket number is 53-24 at the St. Joseph County Animal Control Shelter …

Waste Management has announced it will continue its Styrofoam recycling opportunities in 2024. The next quarterly collection is 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. May 11 at Westside Landfill Recycling Center, 60050 Roberts Road, Three Rivers. The recycling station is on the east side of the landfill. There is no charge and acceptable items include dinnerware, take-out containers, meat and fish trays, …

Cass County Sheriff’s Department responded to a two-car crash over the weekend in Milton Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called around 10 p.m. Saturday to the intersection of Redfield Street and Kline Road. Investigators said 67-year-old Virginia resident Mary Corbett was driving south on Kline Road. Corbett allegedly crossed Redfield Street without checking cross traffic. Behnke said her …

An Indiana man was injured in a single-vehicle crash over the weekend in Cass County’s Milton Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly before 8 p.m. Friday to U.S. 12 and Conrad Road in response to a personal-injury crash. Investigators said 55-year-old James Harker Jr., of Osceola, Ind., apparently fell asleep while driving. His vehicle left the roadway …

The spring 2024 National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is April 27, at locations throughout St. Joseph County. The bi-annual event is described by organizers as a safe, convenient and responsible way to dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs. According to a flier shared by the Pivotal substance abuse prevention department, St. Joseph County residents can drop off medications …

A long-time White Pigeon village employee died last week following a brief illness. Oliver “Dutch” Baker passed away March 28. He served as White Pigeon Police chief from 1995 to 2015. Baker, who was 73, was a Dowagiac High School graduate and previously a member of Howard Township Police Department before he accepted the job in White Pigeon. He also …

St. Joseph County officials on Tuesday discussed the re-appointment of four people to the board previously known as St. Joseph County Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. The agency has been rebranded and now goes by the name Pivotal. Recommended for re-appointment to the board were: Carol Naccarato, Kathy Pangle, Katherine Decker and Rick Shaffer. In another matter Tuesday, …