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The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has given the green light to the use of a trained dog for therapeutic and calming purposes. Commissioners on Tuesday OK’d an agreement with Linda Baker, victims’ rights coordinator who works for the county prosecutor’s office. Baker said three other counties in the state have dogs used for victims or witnesses who need a …

White Pigeon Community Schools recently recognized a longtime board of education member who decided to not seek re-election. Joe Komins, who was board president the past two years, was feted by board members and Superintendent Ron Drzewicki  for his eight years of service to the board. Drzewicki said Komins made a difference through his leadership and dedication to White Pigeon …

The City of Sturgis is installing its new, portable ice-skating rink at the corner of North Monroe Street and East Chicago Road, next to Headlines Hair Design and Spa. Installation started last week and opening for skating will depend on the weather. More information will be forthcoming regarding hours of operation and when skating begins.

Two promotions and a new full-time employee have been announced by the Sturgis Fire Department. Deputy Chief Andy Strudwick said Cody Cripe and Andy Kiss were promoted to the rank of captain. Meanwhile, Joel Hohn was brought on board as a full-time employee after serving in a part-time capacity since 2007. Cripe joined the department in 2003, while Kiss has …

If you thought Congress and the White House had all that “fiscal cliff” stuff solved last week, there’s bad news. It’s coming up again in February, but southwest Michigan Congressman Fred Upton says he doesn’t think it will be the mess it was last month. The St. Joseph Republican says he would not be surprised to see a race between …

Residents in St. Joseph and Branch counties are asked to check their mailboxes for a survey to be sent soon by the Prairie River Watershed Planning Project. Project director Rachel Smith said as part of the Prairie River Watershed Planning Project, replies from residents in the watershed area are critical, as they are considered the people who know the watershed …

Two people were killed Wednesday morning in a one-vehicle crash in White Pigeon Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department says a van, driven by 30-year-old Kirk Miller of Keystone, Indiana, was westbound on Fawn River Road, left the road, and rolled over several times shortly after 6:30am. Two of the six passengers were killed in the crash. They were …

The Centreville Downtown Development Authority recently completed a transaction that includes the purchase of the former Village Market. DDA officials announced details of the purchase Tuesday, saying the $75,000 deal includes the 20,600-square-foot grocery building and attached plaza that features four storefronts. DDA Chair Pattie Bender said the association’s interest in the property was – in part – because of …

November’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County remained less than 7 percent, as it dropped one-tenth of a percent compared to October. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget indicated seasonal retail hiring helped offset job losses in the construction and hospitality fields. St. Joseph County’s 6.7 percent November unemployment rate was not only …

In a housekeeping matter Wednesday, the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners agreed to keep its twice-a-month meetings at 5 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Also, executive committee meetings – during which matters on the county commission meeting agenda are discussed in detail – will remain at 8 a.m. the Friday before a county commission meeting. …