News

Members of a historic-preservation group are working to restore a Centreville property rich with local history. A core team of women – members of the Amos Sturgis chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution – have taken a number of steps over the past five years toward much-needed improvements at the Old Centreville Cemetery. The property holds 1,500 plots. …

Four tax-foreclosed properties around Sturgis were approved for purchase Wednesday by municipal officials. City staff reviewed the 2022 list of properties available for purchase under tax foreclosure. There were five properties available for purchase, four of which the city purchased and include homes: 306 North St., 303 S. Nottawa St., 602 Jean Ave. and 805 N. Nottawa St. A narrow …

A Sturgis woman was injured after the vehicle she was driving struck a stationary semi-tractor trailer this week in Sturgis Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies were called at 7 a.m. Monday to the area of White School Road and Progress Street in response to a personal-injury incident. A pickup driven by 20-year-old Shelby Holderbaum was southbound on White School …

An effort by Republicans in the Michigan Legislature to weaken minimum wage and sick leave laws was declared unconstitutional Tuesday. A judge on the Court of Claims threw out changes made late in 2018 as Republican Gov. Rick Snyder was near the end of his term and Democrats were preparing to take over top statewide posts. Advocates had turned in …

Mercury Broadband has launched an initiative to construct more than 5,000 route miles of state-of-the-art fiber-optic Broadband Internet services to homes and businesses in under-served, rural areas across the state. The company plans to serve more than 44,000 residential households and 6,000 business locations in Michigan as part of the initiative. A ceremonial groundbreaking was held Wednesday along M-66 north …

Two people were injured in a motorcycle crash last week in Cass County. Sheriff’s deputies said 38-year-old Daniel Simpson and his 9-year-old son, Aidan, were traveling west on Morton Street in Dowagiac shortly after 5 p.m. July 10, when Simpson lost control while navigating a curve in the road. The motorcycle left the roadway as a result. Both riders suffered …

A Constantine Fire Department rescue truck was destroyed by what appears to be an engine-related blaze last week. Chief Mike Haydon said the incident occurred shortly after 1:30 p.m. Friday at the department’s headquarters in its main apparatus bay. Haydon said an on-duty member was conducting a monthly maintenance check on a rescue truck. Shortly after completing the inspection and …

Michigan State Police troopers last week investigated a larceny complaint at a location in Lockport Township. According to a department media release, investigators were called Thursday to the 18000 block of Hoshel Road. The victim told authorities the power supply to an irrigation system was cut. In addition, wire from the power supply system was stolen. Troopers said an additional …

The St. Joseph County Conservation District this weekend is staging the third of its four river cleanup events of 2022. Carolyn Grace, executive director of the Centreville-based agency and administrator of this summer’s cleanups, said the next event takes place Saturday on the Rocky River, from Null Road in Flowerfield Township to Hank’s Tavern on the River in Three Rivers. …

St. Joseph County is expected to enter into an agreement with White Pigeon Community Schools for the services of a School Resource Deputy. During their executive committee meeting Tuesday, commissioners discussed the proposal originally pitched by school officials. According to terms of a potential, five-year contract, the county would provide the services of a deputy for 43 weeks. The deputy …