Colon Township-based Farrand Hall recently provided an update on its plan to open a market and workshop in a downtown location. The market is being hailed as a curated retail space by Farrand Hall’s co-owner Jacob Hagan. Its focus will center on style and design items reflective of Farrand Hall. In-store hours and online shopping opportunities are expected to start …

A Sturgis man has been named head of a committee under the umbrella of a state agriculture organization. According to a media release, Riley Brazo recently assumed the role of chairman of Michigan Farm Bureau Young Farmer Committee. Brazo, who is employed by Fawn River Farms, joined Farm Bureau in 2015. Over the past three years, Brazo has served on …

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has reached a contract agreement with six of the county’s 10 unions. By unanimous vote during Tuesday’s monthly board meeting, commissioners OK’d three-year contracts with AFSCME groups representing Circuit Court and Friend of the Court, Family Court, Probate Court and its General Unit. The other two groups are St. Joseph County District Court Employees’ …

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has set its first meeting date of the new year. The matter was settled during Tuesday’s monthly meeting. The seven-member board agreed to assemble at 5 p.m. Jan. 7. Key matters of business will include selecting a board chairman and vice-chairman for the calendar year. The commission will continue to follow its 2024 meeting …

Sturgis Salvation Army has issued a call-out for food donations. Agency officials said a number of easy-to-find items that are especially popular include peanut butter, canned vegetables, canned fruit, cereal, macaroni and cheese, pasta and spaghetti sauce, pancake mixes, cake mixes and canned meat. Donations can be dropped off between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Salvation Army Store, …

A longtime city commission member in Sturgis was saluted last week. Sturgis City Commission members presented a plaque to Robert Hile as acknowledgment of his 14 years on the panel. During his tenure, Hile served as a commissioner, as Sturgis vice-mayor and for five years as its mayor. He represented the city’s Fourth Precinct.

Here’s a final reminder that St. Joseph County United Way is nearing the end of its annual holiday promotion known as “Grinching Time.” Agency officials described “Grinching” as the act of eagerly giving to those in need. The focus is on low-income families, especially those with children who may not otherwise receive Christmas presents this year. United Way officials have …

Three Rivers First United Methodist Church has been added to the list of daytime warming/cooling centers in St. Joseph County. Anyone seeking relief from the elements is able to come inside 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday and Friday, 11:30 to 3 Tuesdays and 10 a.m. to 3 o’clock Sundays. Other times will be made available when circumstances are considerably …

A longstanding holiday tradition in Sturgis continued last week. The annual Holiday Boots and Shoes event took place Tuesday at the Sturges-Young Center for the Arts. Sponsored by Sturgis Kiwanis and Sturgis Elks, Holiday Boots and Shoes allows area children whose family have fallen on hard times to receive needed footwear to last through the winter months. In addition, children …

A number of courthouse employees in St. Joseph County attended a memorial and dedication ceremony last week for former assistant prosecutor Melissa Hallack. The 45-year-old Mendon woman died May 30 after the vehicle she was driving was struck head-on by a drunken driver during an early morning crash on Silver Street in Mendon Township. Thursday’s gathering at the St. Joseph …