Here’s the Michigan Department of Transportation’s weekly update regarding the U.S. 131 reconstruction project. The agency is incorporating a Stage 5 traffic pattern, meaning two-way traffic in the highway’s southbound lanes throughout the project. Scheduled work this week includes some utility relocation. Also, traffic-signal work will continue at various intersections south of Michigan Avenue, and crews will focus on various …

Fourteen more homes in White Pigeon will have wells tested for PFAS contamination, but not until the COVID-19 emergency passes, said Paul Andriaachi, environmental health director at Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency. In a report Thursday to the health department board, Andriaachi said three of 19 homes whose well-water were tested showed levels of PFAS above 70 parts per trillion, …

State Rep. Brad Paquette has issued a statement regarding this week’s announcement of the first confirmed cases of COVID-19 in both Berrien and Cass counties. Paquette, of Niles, said his heart goes out to the individuals and their families impacted by the diagnoses. The area’s first reported cases are a concern, but not a shock, he added. That being said, …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is moving toward a daily notification model to local media. Health officer Rebecca Burns said the measure is necessary, as the number of positive cases begins to increase within the three-county service district. As of 2 p.m. Thursday, St. Joseph County had no confirmed cases, 10 people pending test results and 38 individuals known …

Several items were reported taken from a self-storage unit in Centreville. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department was called shortly before 2:30 p.m. March 11 to Mill Race Storage Facility on East Main Street. The victim indicated approximately $150 worth of items stolen from his storage unit. Those items included several tattoo and artwork magazines, and Star Wars and Dungeons …

A garage was entered and items taken from a residence in the 17000 block of South River Road in Lockport Township. Sheriff’s deputies said the breaking-and-entering incident occurred between March 18 and this past Sunday. The suspects broke a window to the garage door and were able to lift the garage door. Once inside, they took a Craftsman push mower, …

Members of the St. Joseph County Intermediate School District board recently heard details related to how the ISD is handling closures because of COVID-19. Superintendent Teresa Belote said the ISD has identified necessary staff, including those who will perform food delivery and preparation for students, those who support online learning, maintenance/custodial staff and business-office staff performing essential operations. They have …

St. Joseph County Clerk Lindsay Oswald issued a media release detailing the process of e-recording. Oswald said in order to best support financial-services infrastructure while being mindful of the current state of COVID-19, all documents for the clerk’s and register of deeds offices are to be submitted through e-recording. Oswald said the county’s website has phone numbers available for CSC, …

Commencement ceremonies scheduled for May 8 at Glen Oaks Community College have been postponed. College president David Devier said the school recognizes and values the hard work of Glen Oaks students, and commencement is an important part of their college experience. Devier said the college will be providing further details for graduating students over the next few weeks. Glen Oaks …

Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has been notified of three positive test results for COVID-19 within its jurisdiction. The victims, two adult males, and an adult female from Hillsdale County, have been self-isolating, according to health officer Rebecca Burns. The health agency will consult people who have been in close contact with the patients, and assess for symptoms, quarantine and …