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. …

The St. Joseph County Road Commission has begun its annual process of installing the seasonal “Frost Law” signs. Frost Laws will go into effect at 7 a.m. Monday. Permits for exceptions to Frost Law restrictions can be secured through a link on the agency’s website: stjoeroads.com. From the site’s homepage, click on “permits” to obtain an application, see a list …

The St. Joseph County Conservation District has announced the dates and locations for its ninth “River Cleanup” campaign. The 2019 effort kicks off June 1 on the Prairie River, starting at Findley Road in Nottawa Township and ending at Lake Templene. Next, a stretch of the Fawn River will be cleared June 15 starting at Dickinson Road in White Pigeon …

Three matters of new business, including an agreement to help fund a portion of the U.S. 131 Trail, will appear before the Three Rivers City Commission this evening. Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners will discuss whether to support an agreement with the Michigan Department of Transportation regarding the city’s share of money for a trail to run along the east …

Centreville Public Schools received notice last week that it has been granted a state waiver to forgive three snow days from the current school year. Superintendent Stephanie Lemmer said the Michigan Department of Education informed the district that three days above its allocation of six snow days will not have to be made up. The district has experienced 11 snow …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will propose a 45-cent increase in Michigan’s gasoline and diesel taxes to fix the roads, phased in later this year and in 2020. A spokeswoman for the Democrat confirmed her plan Monday, a day before she presents it to the Republican-led Legislature. Tiffany Brown says Whitmer also will propose “protections to help offset the cost to people’s …

Authorities have relocated four Canadian wolves to Isle Royale National Park in Michigan in an ongoing effort to restore the predator species on the Lake Superior island chain. The park announced Monday that a female and a male were captured from the same pack last week near Wawa, Ontario. Two other males were taken from Michipicoten Island Provincial Park in …