Michigan State Police has awarded St. Joseph County an $80,000 grant. Secured in partnership with Covered Bridge Health, the funding will go toward jail-diversion services. The grant was officially accepted by commissioners Tuesday. County grant writer James Hissong said the grant’s intent is to continue some services that Community Mental Health had been piloting in the jail. Its grant was …

In-person learning will be discontinued through the end of next week for students in Centreville Public Schools. The decision was made during a special board of education meeting Monday, when superintendent Stephanie Lemmer said 160 students were under quarantine. The large number easily warranted the drastic step, district officials concurred. Lemmer said as of Monday evening, the district had nine …

An Indiana man was injured in a one-vehicle accident last weekend in Colon Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies were called shortly before 7:30 a.m. Saturday to the area of Burr Oak Road and West Palmer Lake Road in response to an accident with injuries. The driver of the vehicle, Craig Holman, 39, of Angola, had to be extricated from …

A free COVID-19 drive-thru test is available today in Sturgis. Offered by the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency, tests will be administered 1 to 5:30 p.m. at Maplecrest Plaza, 1555 E. Chicago Road. Testing is available to Michigan residents on a first-come, first-served basis. A driver’s license or state ID is required. Cost of the testing is being covered by …

A White Pigeon man died last week after the bicycle he was riding was struck by a vehicle in Constantine Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said Timothy Slabuagh, 35, died at the scene of the collision. The incident occurred around 5 a.m. Friday in the area of Riverside Drive and Blue School Road. The pickup was driven by 20-year-old Hunter McKenzie …

During their executive committee meeting last week, St. Joseph County commissioners heard that Sue Eickhoff, judicial secretary for judge Jeff Middleton, is retiring in late January. Court administrator Tab Wedge said Middleton will need to move forward and begin finding a replacement, a process that should start sooner than later. At least a month of training with Eickhoff would be …

Bethel Baptist Church in Three Rivers is offering free rides to polling places Tuesday. Dubbed “Souls to the Polls,” the free-ride program is available noon to 6 p.m. and transportation can be arranged by calling 757-894-8996. Facemask compliance will be required and CDC guidelines will be observed. Meanwhile, the St. Joseph County Transportation Authority is also offering free transportation to …

St. Joseph County undersheriff Jason Bingaman last week explained details of a service-agreement renewal with Canteen Food Service. During Wednesday’s St. Joseph County Executive Committee meeting, Bingaman said the company provides food for jail inmates and the proposed agreement is nearly identical to the most recent contract. He said per-meal cost is $1.61 if the jail population is 114 or …

A few personnel matters were addressed this week by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. During their executive committee meeting Wednesday, commissioners first heard from Friend of the Court Bill Thistlethwaite. He reminded them of his impending March retirement to cap off a career that spanned more than 30 years in St. Joseph County. Thistlethwaite said he and deputy …

Members of the Constantine Fire Department responded Wednesday to a structure fire in the 600 block of East Water Street. The fire was reported to St. Joseph County Central Dispatch shortly after 10:30 p.m. Chief Mike Haydon said the homeowner smelled smoke and found the back porch on fire. He attempted to put out the blaze with a garden hose …