The road project on M-66 at the M-86 split to Colon is progressing on schedule and Michigan Department of Transportation officials say a mid-November opening date remains a probability. MDOT’s Nick Schirripa said the project has been erroneously called a bridge replacement. Once completed, the former bridge that once spanned a now-defunct railroad line will actually be a hot-mix asphalt …

The Sherman Township Board of Trustees last month rezoned property at 62274 M-66, located south of Findley Road, from rural preservation to neighborhood commercial. The change allows the Eash family to open a discount store at the site previously occupied by a used-car lot. Supervisor Steve Wolf said the township is being advised to zone more of M-66 as neighborhood …

After a four-day hiatus, workers involved with the U.S. 131 improvement project in Three Rivers are returning to their duties today. Michigan Department of Transportation officials said northbound and southbound U.S. 131 remain in a Stage 2 traffic pattern. That means two-way traffic on the southbound U.S. 131 lane remains in place through the balance of the construction zone. Meanwhile, …

State police troopers are investigating the theft of a minibike from a residence in Branch County. According to a department media release, the incident took place between 9 p.m. June 30 and 10:30 a.m. July 1 in the 600 block of Girard Road in Girard Township. The vehicle is a black “Monster Moto” brand minibike.

The Sherman Township Board last month approved an ordinance allowing sport-shooting ranges as a special-exception use in the agricultural and rural preservation zoning classifications. Passage of the ordinance gives potential operators of such ranges the opportunity to go to the township planning commission and request a special land-use permit. Requirements listed in the ordinance include specifics such as the site …

Sturgis Public Schools governance team recently completed an evaluation of Superintendent Art Ebert. The board assessed Ebert in 11 areas, including student growth, mission and vision, goals and expectations, processes and procedures, internal and external stakeholder relations, and communications and media relations. The board rated Ebert effective in five of the focus areas and highly effective in six of the focus areas, …

Nobody was seriously injured in a three-vehicle crash that occurred last month in Cass County’s Calvin Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 11:05 a.m. June 20 to the intersection of Calvin Hill Street and Calvin Center Road. Emergency personnel were told the driver of a car heading west on Calvin Hill Street failed to stop at the …

Members of the Centreville Village Council are considering changing the alley behind downtown buildings to one-way traffic. Trustee Gary McClain said he wants to see a one-way street, west to east, between Dean Street – near the Department of Public Works garage – and Nottawa Street. Village President Keith Shears said he has been told the police department prefers the alley as …

Kevin Kroehler, case manager with the Salvation Army of Sturgis, wishes to remind the public that the Salvation Army offers vouchers for clients in need of clothing. Clients may receive six items per person in household, and may get a voucher every six months. Clients will need to call the Sturgis office in order to schedule an appointment. Its number …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency wants make sure everyone safely enjoys a fireworks show this holiday weekend. The agency issued a media release in which a number of safety reminders are referenced. Common sense should be the rule of thumb. Smart and safe Fourth of July celebrations include reminders that kids should never play with fireworks, only legal fireworks …