Frank Perez was selected as Sturgis mayor this week. The appointment was confirmed Monday following a vote by the Sturgis City Commission. Incumbent mayor Jeff Mullins, who served for two years, received three votes during the nomination process. Aaron Miller, the sitting vice mayor, was returned to his position in a 5-4 vote. After Perez was affirmed as mayor, he …

Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory has detected the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a backyard flock from Cass County. This is the first case of HPAI in Cass County since the disease was first detected in the state in 2022 and the first confirmed case in Michigan since March 2023. Agency officials said as the fall migration …

Schoolcraft Post Office is one of three post offices that will move delivery units to one facility in Kalamazoo. Agency officials said the plan involves Schoolcraft, Portage and the Kalamazoo-Westwood branch, and will take effect in June. Plans call for the post offices to remain open for all retail services, however, no mail will be distributed from them, according to …

A popular holiday program is returning to Three Rivers this season. “Firefighters for Santa,” a program undertaken by Three Rivers Fire Department, is partnering with St. Joseph County United Way for the 2023 program. The United Way will act as a fiduciary agent for the program, granting all donations made to the cause to the Three Rivers Fire Department Firefighters …

Sturgis District Library has announced initiatives to encourage residents to read more with less pressure on potential overdue fines. The library is encouraging the spirit of sharing and generosity by eliminating fines on children’s books and collecting food in lieu of fines on all other books. “Food for Fines” is a program where patrons may donate unexpired, nonperishable goods to …

Glen Oaks Board of Trustees has announced the formation of a Presidential Search Committee to select a new college president. Current president David Devier plans to retire in June 2024. Devier has held the position since January 2014. The board last month approved moving forward with using the Association of Community College Trustees as the presidential search firm. College officials …

Saturday’s Veterans Day program in Centreville was declared a success by event organizers. Sponsored by the Centreville Downtown Development Authority, the morning program featured a sidewalk procession along the village’s Military Freedom Walk from South Clinton Street to Yoder’s Country Market. Nearly 50 people took part in the walk, and about 30 veterans were present and recognized during a social …

A Cassopolis woman was injured in a single-vehicle crash earlier this week in Cass County’s Newberg Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 11:25 p.m. Tuesday to an area on M-60 near Wood Lake Road in response to a crash with injuries. Deputies said Cassidy Riedel, 25, was traveling east on M-60 when she lost control of her …

A police pursuit that made its way briefly into St. Joseph County last week concluded when the driver was killed after his vehicle was struck by a semi-tractor trailer. The pursuit started shortly before 4:30 p.m. Friday in Branch County’s Sherwood Township, where authorities attempted to stop a speeding vehicle. The pursuit went into Matteson Township then west into St. …

A community forum hosted last week by Mendon Community Schools helped clarify details of a potential bond renewal request possibly coming up in the spring. Superintendent Leasa Griffith-Mathews said the focus will center on improvements to buildings and grounds at the two-school district, as well as its bus garage and athletic facilities. Griffith-Mathews said about $20 million worth of work …