News

Two people were injured after a school bus was struck by a vehicle Wednesday in Cass County’s Wayne Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 6:43 a.m. to the intersection of Dewey Lake Street and Atwood Road. Investigators said a Dowagiac Schools bus driver, 40-year-old Benjamin Hoopes of Dowagiac, was traveling south on Atwood Road. The bus contained four Dowagiac students and another …

Two Michigan Department of Transportation projects will begin next week in St. Joseph County. The bigger task involves a seven-mile stretch of roadway in Leonidas Township. MDOT officials said the work starts Tuesday and will center on M-60, which will be re-repaved from the junction of M-66 east to Hacker Road, at the Branch County line. Meanwhile, the other project …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating a larceny of two lion statues from a location in Mendon Township. Investigators said the incident occurred between 7:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tuesday from outside a residence in the 22000 block of Springer Road. The lions are identical, outdoor decorations and were set in the yard, near the victim’s driveway.

Branch County Coalition Against Domestic And Sexual Violence benefitted from an annual fundraiser held Sunday in Coldwater. About 1,200 golf balls – purchased at $10 each – filled five, 5-gallon buckets. Coldwater Board of Public Utilities staff went in an aerial truck and poured the golf balls onto the lawn of the Naomi Davis Shelterhouse. The ball purchased by Rick …

Strong storms blew through St. Joseph County on Monday, causing downed limbs and power outages across the area. Weather officials said the line of storms hit St. Joseph County around 4 p.m., elevating a severe thunderstorm watch into a warning. Wind gusts and heavy rain were reported throughout the area. Following the storms, 400 of 9,290 Consumers Energy customers in …

July’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County increased by six-tenths of a percent from June. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget was released recently. It showed St. Joseph County’s unemployment rate rose from 4.7 percent in June to 5.3 percent in July. The rate was 6.1 percent 12 months earlier. Meanwhile, Cass County …

COVID-19 infections are still reported daily, but not to the extent of early 2022 and before. Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency medical director Karen Luparello said the virus now is similar to the flu or a common cold with most of the same symptoms. Luparello, however, said that bit of news is not a reason for the public to let …

Construction is underway for a new Hydro Aluminum plant in Cassopolis. Hydro Aluminum officials, who toured the location with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer last week, said the plant will bring nearly 100 new jobs to the area. The facility will take in raw aluminum and recycled scrap, and produce aluminum bars. Hydro officials said area business have expressed an interest in …

A month after announcing its presence at Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport and non-stop service to Orlando, Avelo Air last week stated it is adding a new destination from AZO. The Texas-based airline staged a media gathering Thursday to announce it is expanding its service to Fort Myers. The non-stop service will take place twice weekly and start in November. Company …

The Cass County Prosecutor’s office has released the name of the man accused of shooting and killing a relative in Edwardsburg. Authorities said Gary Shaw, 54, has been arraigned on a felony charge of open murder. The charge stems from an incident Wednesday last week, when authorities responded to Shaw’s residence on Redfield Street after neighbors reported hearing gunshots. Investigators …