COA

A $70,000 federal highway-safety grant has been awarded to the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Health Agency in an effort to reduce vehicle crashes with Amish buggies. The goal, according to terms of the grant, is to reduce crashes by 15 percent over the next 10 months. Grant coordinator Josh Englehart explained that since 2016, there have been 261 crashes statewide, with 78 …

Personnel from Central Cass Fire Department said a fire that started in a grain bin at Community Mills in Cassopolis earlier this month re-ignited last week Following the Nov. 3 event, insurance company Chubb Agribusiness was on the scene last week to address the issue. According to South Bend’s ABC 57 News, insurance officials on Friday morning drilled into the …

An area high school varsity football team in Michigan High School Athletic Association’s playoffs was defeated over the weekend in a semi-final contest. Schoolcraft High School saw its 10-game win streak snapped and its season conclude Saturday in a 38-7 loss to Monrose St. Mary Catholic Central. The Eagles finish their season with an 11-2 record. St. Mary, meanwhile, is …

St. Joseph County Road Commission Manager John Lindsey received a positive review and contract extension in the wake of his annual job-performance evaluation last week. Following a closed session at the conclusion of their twice-a-month meeting Wednesday, road commission board members said Lindsey was offered and accepted a two-year contract extension. It expires at the end of 2026 and will …

Cass County Sheriff’s deputies responded last week to a larceny complaint from a business owner in Newberg Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said investigators were summoned Nov. 12 to Pro Dock Inc., located on M-60, west of Jones. Following an investigation, authorities executed a search warrant Thursday in the 24000 block of North Shore Drive in Cass County’s Ontwa Township. A 45-year-old woman …

Two of three local high school varsity football teams bowed out of the state playoffs last weekend. The surviving team – Schoolcraft High School – will attempt Saturday to continue its march to Ford Field for a potential state title. In 8-man, Division 1 action last weekend, Mendon came up short in a 49-32 defeat at Deckerville High School. The …

Five Star Pizza is providing an opportunity for someone to win free pizza for a year. The promotion is in support of the Adoption Fund, a program backed by St. Joseph County United Way. Raffle tickets are $5 each or five for $20. The winner will receive a 16-inch pizza every month during 2025. Event organizers said the winning ticket …

Two millage-renewal requests sought by two county agencies were passed by St. Joseph County voters Tuesday. The St. Joseph County Road Commission was successful in its request for a 10-year renewal of 1 mill to maintain $2.5 million annually. The road millage has been in place since 1994 and a renewal request has passed every decade since. Nearly a quarter …

St. Joseph County Commission on Aging may be forced to raise monthly rent of its tenants at Rivers Enrichment Center in Three Rivers to cover an unexpected hike in utilities. COA director Pam Riley told commissioners during their executive committee meeting Wednesday that the cost for water and sewer services from the city of Three Rivers is expected to increase …

St. Joseph County Commission on Aging Executive Director Pam Riley brought up the issue of security deposits and a separate pet deposit during the county’s executive committee meeting Wednesday. Riley said both are on her radar in light of recent events. Riley said 14 residents have pets, which are limited to cats and dogs only. She said the COA facility …