News

Michigan Department of Transportation construction engineer Christopher Jacobs has provided a weekly update on the U.S. 131 project. Recently completed work includes guardrail removal and ditching to an area north of Flowerfield Road. Jacobs said crews this week have started paving hot-mix asphalt. The two-week outlook includes work continuing northbound in the median and on crossovers. Also, storm-sewer work and …

Two Sturgis residents are expected to be charged with drug-related offenses following an incident earlier this week. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman said deputies stopped a motorcycle Sunday on Lafayette Street in Sturgis city limits. Through the stop, deputies found the driver to be in possession of crystal methamphetamine. After further investigation, deputies conducted a search warrant in the 500 block of …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has created an online scheduling link for curbside, confidential, HIV testing. Next Tuesday, June 27, is National HIV Testing Day. Residents can request an appointment for testing at our Coldwater, Hillsdale or Three Rivers locations by logging on to the website: bhsj.org/HIV. Agency officials said one in seven people living with HIV are unaware …

Glen Oaks Community College has announced its 2024 study abroad group will travel to Peru. Members of the community are invited to come along. The 10-day trip, offered through the student travel firm Explorica, includes stops in Lima, Cuzco and Machu Pichu. The itinerary includes visits to the government palace and city hall in Lima; Cuzco Cathedral, Plaza de Armas, …

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners this week made appointments and re-appointments to the Transportation Authority Board. They are: Warren Atkins, Taylor Snow, Diana Liston, Sarah Beckle, Tina Cronkhite, Jared Hoffmaster and Stoney Summey.

A White Pigeon man last week was found guilty of hitting and killing a jogger nearly two years ago then hiding her body in a secluded area of Constantine Township. Colby Martin, 31, admitted in an interrogation video to hitting and killing Melody Rohrer, 64, in Van Buren County’s Hamilton Township, then hiding her body on Purgatory Road. Prosecutors argued …

Three additional White Pigeon Township Board members are being targeted for recall by a township resident. In addition to heading up a campaign to oust Supervisor Don Gloy, resident Anita Casada has filed recall petitions against township treasurer Trudy Gloy, and township trustees Jean Tefft and Vince Schroen. All four petitions were filed Friday in the county clerk’s office. In …

An 88-year-old Cass County man was hospitalized after he was injured in a farm-related incident last weekend in Jefferson Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies responded around 9 p.m. Saturday to the 27000 block of Indigan Lane for a traumatic injury. Investigators said Howard Kenneth Miller was driving a tractor up a hill. However, the tractor rolled, landing on top …

A Mendon native and Lockport Township resident formalized the fact he is seeking the four-year term of sheriff, up for grabs in the August 2024 primary. Chad Spence filed paperwork in April but staged his first public media event Monday outside the St. Joseph County Courthouse. Spence, 49, used the occasion to announce, if elected, his undersheriff would be David …

Taking advantage of the closure of U.S. 12 due to Sturgis Fest, Sturgis city crews plan to perform repairs centering on failing pavement around manhole structures in the westbound lane of U.S. 12. There will be a full closure at Clay Street through Wednesday afternoon. No thru-traffic will be allowed west of the U.S. 12 and Clay Street traffic signal …