Officials from Indiana Michigan Power will begin lowering the water level of the headrace canal at the Constantine hydroelectric plant today. The Constantine headrace canal at the hydroelectric plant will be lowered 11-feet to allow I&M to perform routine inspections. The drawdown will not impact water levels of the St. Joseph River. The public may notice an increase in traffic …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St Joseph Community Health Agency is receiving support from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in its investigation of a nursing care facility’s water system that tested positive for Legionella bacteria contamination. The case was made public last week. Health officials said there was one confirmed case of Legionellosis associated with the facility, which is not being identified until …

A busy intersection in Colon Township will soon become a four-way stop. Members of the St. Joseph County Road Commission this week approved a plan to add stop signs on Colon Road at the Farrand Road intersection. Commissioners agreed the measure was necessary in advance of bridge work on M-66, just north of the M-86 intersection that leads east into …

Three people were reappointed this week to St. Joseph County’s Agricultural Preservation Board. County commissioners on Tuesday renewed the three-year terms of Mendon Township resident Larry Rice and Sturgis-area resident John Fair. Commissioner representative Dan Czajkowski of White Pigeon was also reappointed, though his term is for a one-year period. In a separate move, commissioners agreed to name Angie Price, …

Do you want to have company with someone who is talkative?  I’m your girl.  I have cute chubby cheeks, and I am about 10 months old.  My coat is tortoise,  I will need my spay surgery.  I will be waiting to make conversation with you.  My docket number is 44893, at the St. Joseph County Animal Control Shelter located at …

Mendon Township Board of Trustees has postponed for at least a month whether to approve a potential ordinance regarding solar panels. The five-member board agreed Tuesday to continue reviewing the proposed ordinance that was recommended by its planning commission last week. The township board concurred it will revisit the issue at its April meeting. If approved, the ordinance could pave …

St. Joseph County Finance Director Angie Steinman was welcomed by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners, as Tuesday marked her first time sitting in on the twice-a-month county commission meetings. A Dowagiac native and current resident, Steinman formerly served as finance director of Cass County before she was offered the job in St. Joseph County. Her first day was …

An investigation is underway by health officials regarding a case of legionella, said Yvonne Atwood, disease prevention director at Branch Hillsdale St Joseph Community Health Agency. An Allegan County man who was a resident at a Three Rivers nursing care facility later was confirmed positive for the bacterial pathogen, which causes a pneumonia-type illness often called legionnaires’ disease. It produces …

Sturgis city commissioners will conduct a work session prior to their March 13 city commission meeting to discuss the possibility of a truck route around Sturgis. Representatives from the St. Joseph County Road Commission, Sherman Township and St. Joseph County Commission have been invited to take part. A bypass was considered about 10 years ago, but was not financially feasible for …

Two White Pigeon men were arrested last week after police found an explosive device in their vehicle. Ronald Palmer Jr., 30, and Donald Lucas, 34, face charges of possession of methamphetamine, carrying a concealed weapon and transportation of explosives, according to authorities. About 3:45 p.m. Friday, White Pigeon police stopped a pickup on Dickenson Road, between Kalamazoo Street and U.S. …