News

Sturgis Public Schools officials this week decided to keep its transportation services in-house rather than contract bus-driving services. During Monday’s board of education meeting, members acted on a recommendation of a committee to retain its own staff and employees. The measure was a relief to several bus drivers who attended the meeting, according to Superintendent Tom Langdon. Committee members studied …

A breaking-and-entering incident in Fabius Township is being investigated by state police. According to a department media release, the break-in occurred between 9:30 and 9:50 a.m. Tuesday at a residence in the 10000 block of Harder Road. Details regarding the method of entry and whether anything was stolen were not indicated in the release.

A 53-year-old Three Rivers man was not injured after a one-vehicle accident Monday morning in Three Rivers. Three Rivers Police said Kenneth Haines was driving west on Broadway Street when he lost control of his vehicle and struck a power pole on the north side of the roadway, just before South Hooker Avenue. Haines told police he apparently fell asleep.

The Community Action Agency of St. Joseph County has issued a media release providing advance notice about its 29th Walk for Warmth event. Nancy Percival, CAA board member, said the fundraiser will take place Feb. 22. It will take place simultaneously in six communities in St. Joseph, Barry, Branch and Calhoun counties. A fundraising goal of $50,000 has been set. …

State health officials are urging Michiganders to get a flu shot, especially since the state’s vaccination rate was no better than 42nd in the nation last year. Last flu season, only 40.8 percent of Michigan’s residents were vaccinated against the flu. This was below the national flu vaccination coverage of 45 percent. Michigan lags behind the U.S. estimates for flu …

A Michigan legislator has announced a bill to require gas stations and convenience stores that stay open between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. to have two employees working or to install security cameras. The bill unveiled Monday in western Michigan comes after the April disappearance of a 26-year-old woman from her job at a Norton Shores gas station. Jessica Heeringa’s …

Nearly 1,500 jobs and $53.8 million in new, private investment were announced in St. Joseph County in 2013. The figures were included in the Southwest Michigan First 2013 annual report presented by Ken Jones last week before the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. The 12-month period marks the first full calendar year the St. Joseph County Economic Development Corporation …

A 22-year-old Elkhart man has pleaded guilty to two counts of murder in the shooting deaths of the owner of a northern Indiana convenience store and an employee.  Richard Gross pleaded guilty Monday moments before his trial was scheduled to begin. He admitted taking part in a Sept. 5 robbery at Saleh’s Market east of downtown Elkhart, where 55-year-old Jagtar …

Glen Oaks Community College is continuing public forums for its presidential candidates today and Thursday. The second of three sessions takes place today, when Phil Gasparro will be involved in a question-answer forum 10 to 11 a.m., and again 1:30-2:30 p.m. Gasparro is an administrator with Student Success Initiatives at Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland. On Thursday, Douglas Brauer will …

The St. Joseph County United Way has issued a reminder of a donation opportunity that agency officials call a “win-win” proposition. Executive director Kelly Hostetler said by donating appreciated stocks that have been held for at least a year and a day, the giver is able to deduct the full, fair-market value of the stock on the date of the …