News

Waste Management has announced 2023 dates for its quarterly Styrofoam recycling program. The collections will operate 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 11, May 13, Aug. 12 and Nov. 11 at Westside Landfill Recycling Center on Roberts Road, at the east side of the landfill. Items will be accepted at no charge and include dinnerware, take-out containers, meat and fish trays, …

St. Joseph County Housing Task Force will be conducting the 2023 homeless Point-In-Time Count Jan. 25 in St. Joseph County and it is seeking the public’s help. The Point-In-Time Count is a federally mandated survey used to determine prevalence and characteristics of homelessness in Michigan. Data is also used to determine funding issued to counties to provide services to those …

Centreville Public Schools officials are poised to make official a May 2 millage increase request. Board of education members on Monday approved submission of a pre-qualification bond fund application. The document will be sent to and reviewed by Michigan Department of Treasury. Its approval would give Centreville the green light to pursue the millage-increase request. Superintendent Chad Brady said it …

The head of Sturgis Area Community Foundation has reversed an earlier decision and plans instead to remain in her current position. Lindsay Richardson had previously announced in October her intentions to resign in order to pursue another opportunity. Erin Melchi-Baker, chair of the foundation’s trustee board, said she is convinced that with Richardson’s continued leadership, the community foundation will see …

St. Joseph County officials have recommended approving appropriations to two local agencies. During their executive committee meeting, commissioners were told by finance director Angie Steinman that Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services would be allocated $257,000 in 2023. The appropriation amount has remained the same since 2010. Meanwhile, Community Health Agency is poised to receive $322,000 in 2023. The …

Centreville Public Schools selected Rod Detweiler to serve as its board president. The 12-year veteran was chosen unanimously during the district’s board meeting Monday. Detweiler replaces Jeff Troyer, who chose not to seek re-election back in the November general election. In addition, the board Monday chose Jackie Bowen as its vice-president. Also, district officials welcomed new board members Tim Hall …

A Jackson man has been charged with assault and home invasion following an incident last week in Branch County’s Union Township. Dustin Sprague, 31, faces two charges of attempted murder after stabbing his former employer and another man at a Burlington Road home just after 12:30 p.m. Jan. 2; both are life felonies. The assault on Edward Gulliford and Curtis …

Cass County officials responded last week to a report of a possible deceased person in a field in LaGrange Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly after 1 p.m. Thursday to an area near the intersection of Beeson Street and M-62, a location northwest of Cassopolis. Fingerprints from the victim were obtained during autopsy Friday. Behnke said the …

Colon High School is losing its head varsity football coach. Robbie Hattan, who led the Magi to an 8-man state title in 2019, has accepted a position with Pennfield School District in Battle Creek. He was introduced by Pennfield school officials last week at a media conference. His final day at Colon Community Schools will be Jan. 27. In addition …

Here’s a look at this month’s Fresh Food Distribution in St. Joseph County. Seventh-Day Adventist Church, east of Centreville on M-86, will host the county’s first event of 2023. Its distribution will take place at 4 p.m. Tuesday. Next, First Presbyterian Church on Lakeview Avenue in Sturgis will be the site of a distribution, starting at 4 p.m. Thursday. Two …