News

St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough announced last week he will be seeking re-election to another four-year term in November. The 32-year-old McDonough is in the fourth year of his initial four-year term after upsetting incumbent Doug Fisher in 2008. McDonough said representing the citizens of St. Joseph County has been an honor and he indicated he hopes to continue …

A millage renewal to support the St. Joseph County Commission on Aging is expected to appear on a countywide ballot later this year. The amount of the renewal, however, is being debated by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. During Friday’s executive committee meeting, which drew all seven commissioners, discussion stemmed from the three-quarters of a mill expiring this …

The first of what could well be a number of trailway master plan meetings in Sturgis took place last week. About 50 people attended the session, which centered on ideas and potential routes, corridors and connections for non-motorized traffic. Participants noted existing roadways – including Congress and West streets in Sturgis – along with abandoned railroad rights-of-way could be utilized …

A Constantine man was seriously injured in a 1-car crash Saturday evening on Blue School Road in Mottville Township. 21-year-old Kevin Griffin was ejected from the vehicle after it left the road and struck two trees. He was airlifted to Bronson Methodist Hospital for treatment.

After just two years celebrating Dam Days, the city of Sturgis is changing the name and focus of its annual community celebration. Municipal officials were notified this week that the Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce is going to call the 2012 festival Sturgis Fest. Cathi Abbs, chamber director, said “Where the Good Times Roll,” is the theme of the inaugural …

Tuition for St. Joseph County students attending Glen Oaks Community College will increase $5 per credit hour starting in the fall. Approved by the school’s board of trustees, the rate hike will bump the college’s tuition rate to $89 per credit hour. Meanwhile, students in the college’s service area will pay $136 a credit hour, with an additional $6 per …

The passenger in a vehicle stopped Tuesday in Burr Oak Township was charged with a methamphetamine-related offense. The unnamed 43-year-old woman, a Burr Oak resident, was charged with manufacturing meth and was wanted for probation violation on a previous meth-related charge, according to Michigan State Police. A search of the vehicle revealed a one-pot meth lab and other meth components …

A 50-year-old Colon man was ticketed Wednesday for careless driving after a vehicle he was driving went off the roadway and struck a tree. Jeffery Weinberg told police fatigue played a role in the accident, which occurred on Lutz Road in Florence Township. The vehicle he was driving northbound crossed the centerline and went off the road. He was not …

Constantine village officials said plans for a new business setting up at the former Rexam plant remain on track. Village Manager Mark Honeysett said the Fort Wayne, Ind.-based Nature’s Fuel has signed a sales agreement on the purchase of the Rexam site. Honeysett, however, said the transaction remains in progress and a closing has not yet taken place. Honeysett said …

The Centreville Downtown Development Authority recently hired the first program manager in its 21-year history. Carol Snow-Penn, a Centreville native, said her goal is to help the village fill its vacant storefronts and market downtown Centreville as an attractive place for business. Snow-Penn said she would like to see the village establish a farmers market. In addition, she will suggest …