News

Four men were injured after the off-road vehicle they were in crashed over the weekend in Cass County’s Penn Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly after 8:30 p.m. Saturday to the 16000 block of Donnell Lake Street regarding a crash with injuries. The vehicle was driven by 34-year-old Ryan Chris of Vandalia. Authorities said Chris lost control …

May’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County increased by one percent from April. Figures from the monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget show St. Joseph County’s unemployment rate rose from 3.4 percent in April to 4.4 percent in May. St. Joseph County’s May 2022 unemployment rate was 4.2 percent. In addition, Cass County also …

The use of handheld cellphones while driving a car will be outlawed in Michigan, and will take effect this Friday, June 30th, under legislation signed earlier this month by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. The new law will expand Michigan’s ban on texting and driving to apply to all handheld cellphone use while operating a motor vehicle, including making calls or scrolling …

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 …