Centreville Public Schools has approved the purchase of a used bus. During its monthly meeting Monday, the district’s board of education acted on the finance committee’s recommendation to buy the 77-passenger bus, manufactured by the company Thomas Built Buses. It features underbelly storage. Superintendent Chad Brady said the $79,000 purchase is being made with Grand Rapids-based Hoekstra Transportation. Brady said …

The passenger in a vehicle being pursued by authorities died after it crashed into a tree over the weekend in Cass County’s Mason Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were advised shortly before midnight Sunday that officers from Nappanee Police Department were in pursuit of a vehicle reported stolen from Elkhart County. Nappanee Police terminated their pursuit when they lost …

Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for September increased by two-tenths of a percent from the previous month. Figures from the monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget show the state’s September unemployment rate was 3.9 percent. The August rate was 3.7 percent. The state’s county-by-county unemployment figures are expected to be released this week.

Sturgis city officials recently approved a measure that will see a new location for the city’s weekly farmers market. The move will put the farmers market at the north end of Oaklawn Park effective in 2024. It was previously held in TSC parking lot. The market has traditionally been held Wednesdays and Saturdays, May through October. It typically has up …

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners made three appointments during their meeting last week. Luke Lori was added to the Community Corrections Advisory Board in the capacity of a term that expires at the end of the year. He is the son of former, longtime sheriff Matt Lori. Meanwhile, Randy Chupp and Rick Anderson were appointed to the St. Joseph …

State-issued grants that help cover expenses related to various court programs were approved last week by St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. Community Corrections Director Melissa Bliss said the grants are: $130,000 to Circuit Court for the Michigan Drug Court program; $160,000 to Circuit Court for the Swift and Sure Sanctions Probation program; $16,000 to District Court for its Drug …

Emergency crews remain on the site of a broken petroleum line in Branch County’s Girard Township. The incident occurred Tuesday in an area on Bell Road. It involves a 10-inch BP petroleum line. Company officials said the road will be closed at least until Oct. 27. Crews are continuing to remove contamination from the 8,400 gallons of gasoline that leaked …

A Coldwater woman is $150,000 richer after cashing in a lucky lottery ticket earlier this week. Brandy Bowditch, 39, matched four white balls and the Powerball in the Oct. 7 drawing to win $150,000. Bowditch opted for the PowerPlay option, which tripled her winnings. Bowditch purchased the ticket at PS Food Mart on West Chicago Road in Coldwater. She said …

Kellogg Community Credit Union of Three Rivers made a significant donation Wednesday to St. Joseph County Animal Control. Pam Overweg, branch manager, said the branch during September collected food and other needs for dogs at the Centreville-based shelter. Employees and the community joined to donate 86 items, she said. In addition, the Three Rivers branch added a $500 financial donation …

Drug store chain Rite-Aid announced this week it is filing for bankruptcy, prompting the closure of 154 stores nationwide, including one in St. Joseph County. In all, 17 stores in Michigan are set to close. The decision will impact the location in Sturgis, at the northwest corner of North Centreville Road and West Chicago Road. The next-closest Michigan location to …