St. Joseph County United Way is continuing a longtime tradition to benefit area residents in need of winter apparel. The Centreville agency’s annual coat drive is underway. Items in need include coats, hats, gloves and boots. New items are preferred but gently used items will be accepted. United Way officials said gently used coats can be dropped off at Ludders …

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said a Coldwater man has plead guilty to stealing money from a client of the law firm where he worked. Nessel said 63-year-old James O’Briant plead guilty last week to four counts of larceny in excess of $20,000 and two counts of failure to file taxes. O’Briant had access to the money of a 95-year-old …

Glen Oaks Community College has received national accreditation for its nursing program. Sara Birch, Glen Oaks’ dean of health sciences, received notice after more than three years of preparation, submissions and a visit from Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing evaluators. Birch said having the ACEN accreditation increases the value of the school’s program. Accreditation is for a five-year period, …

Cass County deputies are continuing their investigation into a hit-and-run incident that occurred last week in Volinia Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said the agency was notified at 5:15 p.m. Oct. 19 that a Schoolcraft man was involved in a two-vehicle crash on Marcellus Highway. Michael Winchester, 75, was traveling east and entered the intersection of Decatur Road. Authorities said a …

Crystal Marie Mattice, age 33, (Crystal Marie Algea) of Constantine, died Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at her home following a 5 year illness. She was born in Northern California on August 9, 1990. Crystal is survived by her husband Derek Robert Algea, SR; many children, Cheyenne Helsel, Danica Mattice, Tianna Montiero, Derek Robert Algea, JR, James Algea, Brooklynn Algea and …

Sturgis Public Schools officials will turn to district voters next year to restore a full 18 mills. The district’s board of education last week approved a resolution to place the supplemental millage request on the May ballot. Approval would allow the district to receive the full amount of its per-pupil foundation revenue allowance. The request will not impact district residents …

Members of the Constantine Village Council are looking into options related to construction of a new fire station. During their Oct. 16 meeting, council members recognized the cost for a new station to meet their specifications would be about $2.7 million. Congressman Tim Walberg, however, has indicated the availability of a federal grant that could cover as much as 75 …

Seven area high schools qualified for the MHSAA 2023 football postseason tournament. Dates and kick-off times will be announced later this week. In Division 4, Vicksburg squeaked into the playoffs despite a 4-5 record. It will face Niles in opening-round action Friday or Saturday. Next, in Division 5, 8-1 Constantine will host 3-6 Olivet. Schoolcraft, a Division 7 school, made …

Mendon Community Schools Superintendent Leasa Griffith said the district is hosting a community forum tonight to discuss an upcoming bond-renewal proposal. The meeting begins at 6 o’clock in Mendon High School library. Griffith said discussion will center on the needs of the schools’ facilities and grounds. She said the renewal will not raise taxes, but, if approved, would generate approximately $20 …

Here’s an update on work being done on U.S. 131 in St. Joseph and Kalamazoo counties, according to Michigan Department of Transportation’s Christopher Jacobs. Recently completed work includes hot-mix asphalt leveling and top course, right lane and shoulder application northbound; strain pole foundations chipped down at the northeast quadrant at Main Street; restoration work northbound and southbound; and northbound ditching …