Four people were re-appointed to the Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Board of St. Joseph County. During their board meeting Tuesday, St. Joseph County commissioners approved Carol Naccarato, Kathy Pangle, Kay Decker and Rick Shaffer to three-year terms. Meanwhile, commissioners also re-appointed six people to the St. Joseph County Transportation Authority Board. They are: Charles Thompson, Bruce Zakrzewski, Sarah …

Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency officer Rebecca Burns, wishes to remind the public there should never be a charge for COVID-19 vaccine. Burns said the vaccine has been purchased by the federal government. In some cases, however, the provider may bill for an administration fee. Anyone receiving the vaccine from the local health department will be billed nothing, not even …

The removal of decades-old restrictive covenants assigned to property in Centreville could potentially spur economic growth in the county seat. Zoning administrator Doug Kuhlman told county commissioners during their executive committee meeting last week that the covenants were put in place by a committee that doesn’t appear to exist anymore. During their board meeting Tuesday, commissioners approved a measure that …

St. Joseph County commissioners have approved a budget amendment necessary to fix a leaking roof at a county facility. During their board meeting Tuesday, commissioners were brought up-to-date on the status of a roof leak over the atrium area at the Three Rivers Commission on Aging property. County finance director Angie Steinman said the correction was originally slated to be …

St. Joseph County commissioners have approved a request to use courthouse property for a local, community festival. During their board meeting Tuesday, the five-member commission OK’d a request from Covered Bridge Days officials. Festival organizers asked to use the courthouse property for the two-day event, which would begin July 9. Commissioners indicated they hope the festival will go on as …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has announced more individuals are invited to schedule their COVID-19 vaccination. The expanded group now includes all essential workers, people age 50 years and older, and people age 16 and older with a chronic healthcare condition. The agency has received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, and with additional doses of Moderna and Pfizer being …

The Constantine Fire Department oversaw a controlled burn last weekend along Haybridge Road, near Block Road, in Florence Township. Central dispatch said it received several calls from residents curious about the plume of dark smoke that filled the sky as a result of Saturday’s prescribed burn. The burn was set intentionally with the intent of fostering the regrowth of native …

St. Joseph County officials have endorsed the continuation of a law-enforcement agreement with two communities. Contracts related to sheriff’s department-contracted services with the villages of Burr Oak and Centreville were approved at Tuesday’s county commission meeting. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite told commissioners the agreements are renewals and both cover a five-year period. Lillywhite said with a few minor exceptions, terms of …

Alice L. Johansen, age 88, of Constantine, passed away on Monday, March 15, 2021 at Edgewood Health and Rehabilitation Center in Three Rivers.  Alice was born in Constantine on January 2, 1933, a daughter of A. Albert and Ethel (Showalter) Stahly.  She graduated from Constantine High School in 1950. On June 2, 1951, she married Arthur Johansen in Angola; he …

Rhonda Le Groff, age 55, of Sturgis, passed away Monday, March 15, 2021, at her home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born Sept. 5, 1965, in Flint, a daughter of Ronald and Shirley (Stanley) Sisco. On July 14, 1990, she married Michael Groff in Bronson. Rhonda had lived in Flint, Bronson, Union City and, most recently, Sturgis, throughout …