State police troopers are investigating a hit-and-run incident involving a watercraft in Branch County. According to a department media release, the incident occurred around 4 a.m. Sunday on Marble Lake in Quincy Township. The suspect watercraft struck a pontoon boat and left the scene without reporting the collision. Investigators are on the lookout for a smaller, walk-through watercraft, white in …

Centreville Public Schools Board of Education announced its COVID-19 preparedness and response plan. Superintendent Stephanie Lemmer said if Michigan is in safe start phases 1-3, families who have opted to participate in Centreville’s online learning academy will continue for at least one semester in that program, then re-evaluate. All other students will have remote learning, with instruction provided through Google …

Two Dowagiac residents were injured last weekend in an accident involving a pickup and a motorcycle in Cass County’s Marcellus Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly after 9 p.m. Saturday to the area of Marcellus Highway and Finch Road in response to a personal-injury accident. Emergency personnel was called to the scene after 21-year-old Three Rivers resident …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating the larceny of a stainless-steel block from the 20000 block of M-60 in Park Township. The block was likely taken at some point in July and is approximately three feet in length and two feet wide. Investigators said the block weighs about 400 pounds.

More than $2 million will be directed to local roads through the St. Joseph County Road Commission’s allocation fund. In a collaboration between the road commission and 12 of the county’s 16 townships, the road commission has adopted a plan in which it will contribute 50 percent of costs toward improvements such as chip-seal and hot-mix asphalt. The participating township …

The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed Sturgis Public Schools to adjust daily start and end times for the upcoming school year. Classes at Sturgis High School will begin at 7:30 a.m. and dismiss at 1:55 p.m. on full days, and dismiss at 10:50 on half-days. Sturgis Middle School will start classes at 7:45 a. m. and end at 2:10 p.m. Half-days …

St. Joseph Animal Control is scrambling to find medical assistance and temporary placement after more than 140 cats were taken from a Park Township residence last week. Zoning administrator Doug Kuhlman said he and other officials recovered the cats Tuesday, one day after Park Township officials received a tip about the situation. Two cats had to be euthanized immediately. Health …

Here’s the weekly update from Michigan Department of Transportation regarding its reconstruction of U.S. 131 in Three Rivers. Barring unforeseen circumstances, Coon Hollow Road was expected to reopen Saturday. Meanwhile, Broadway Road remains closed to eastbound traffic; motorists are asked to follow the posted detour route. Also, Broadway Road construction moves to the north side this week, MDOT officials said. …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident in Branch County. Troopers were called Wednesday to S&D Landscaping on Behnke Road in Coldwater in response to an activated alarm. Troopers arrived to find entry by a suspect had been made into the business. The suspect was captured on surveillance video attempting to steal a motorcycle. The suspect fled the …

Officials with the St. Joseph County Road Commission said a major road project in Colon Township is complete. A roundabout at the intersection of Colon and Farrand roads has opened after work started a few months ago. John Lindsey, road commission managing director, said the roundabout has a 20-foot driving lane to accommodate agricultural equipment and a 12-foot truck apron. …