Sturgis High School officials said in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the school’s band program in 2021, plans are underway to build a Sturgis Music Walk of Fame. The proposed walk is expected to be developed outside the band room doors. The school’s band and orchestra programs are planning a fundraiser that involves the purchase of brick pavers, through …

The Constantine Village Council voted recently to allow Fawn River Cultivation Company, pending approval of legalities, to add a medical-marijuana provisioning center at its site. Located at 621 Industrial Drive, the company currently has permits for growing and processing. Company president Dominic Iemma said he was applying for an abandoned permit granted previously to another facility but not renewed by …

A policy for the conversion of private roads to public roads was approved last month by the St. Joseph County Road Commission. Managing director John Lindsey said the agency fields questions regularly from people inquiring about converting roads. He explained requirements and specifications guarantee that roads constructed in accordance with them will require a minimum of maintenance costs. In addition, …

Sturgis Area Community Foundation was awarded a $70,000 grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund in support of expanding the fresh-food initiative throughout St. Joseph County. The initiative currently provides fresh produce, dairy products, baked goods and meat at six community locations throughout St. Joseph County. Under normal conditions, each distribution event typically serves up to 150 households per site, …

A St. Joseph County man, who stole a Jeep and led authorities on a pursuit in the city of Hillsdale, has entered into a plea bargain in 1st Judicial Circuit Court in Hillsdale County. Michael Mercer, 23, of Three Rivers, appeared in court last month, facing charges of receiving and concealing stolen property; third-degree fleeing/eluding police; felonious assault; resisting arrest; …

Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency Health Officer Rebecca Burns shared grim news during the agency’s monthly meeting last week. She said St. Joseph County experienced 50 new cases of COVID-19 between June 17 and 24. For comparison, there were 17 in Branch County and six in Hillsdale County over the same time period. On June 24, St. Joseph County reported …

Kenneth Leo Wyant, age 75, of Sherwood, died Monday, June 22, 2020, under the care of his family and with the aid of Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan. A private family memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, July 5, 2020, at Lighthouse Funeral & Cremation in Union City, with Pastor David Farrell officiating. The service will be …

Duane A. Beardsley, age 74, of Colon, passed away Friday, June 26, 2020, at his home, surrounded by his family. Duane was born Oct. 3, 1945, in Battle Creek, a son of the late Ray A. Beardsley and Alice G. Fox. Duane graduated from Athens High School with the class of 1966. After graduation, Duane enlisted in the U.S. Army, …

Wallace Andre Mollema, better known as Andy, passed from this life at Munson Medical Center, Traverse City, on Tuesday, June 16, 2020, with Martha, the love of his life, at his side. He had been a full-time resident of Benzie County since 1996. Andy was preceded in death by his father Wallace A. Mollema in 1994 and by his mother …

Village of White Pigeon water customers could end up paying $24 more per quarter than originally predicted as a result of an upcoming, system-wide upgrade. That figure is three times the amount project officials first estimated. During a special village council meeting last week, Ken Jones, of South Bend-based Jones, Petrie, Rafinski Corp. engineering, explained the potential increase was the …