News

State Police are investigating a 2-vehicle crash which occurred Thursday afternoon on US-131 near Youngs Prairie Road in Constantine Township. Initial reports indicate the driver of a northbound pickup truck collided head-on with a southbound semi-rig. The two occupants in the pickup were pronounced dead at the scene.  No names have been released.

St. Joseph County officials Tuesday formalized an agreement with White Pigeon Community Schools to provide the district a school resource deputy. The matter was raised last week during the commission’s executive committee meeting. Representing the school district, board of education member Mike Swinehart thanked the county commission for agreeing to work with the district and help with a position that …

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners this week approved four reappointments and two new appointments to the county’s Commission on Aging Advisory Board. Mendon Township resident Britt Buscher was reappointed to a one-year, at-large term. Reappointed to the board for two-year terms were Jon Withers, a Florence Township resident; Burr Oak Township’s George Letts; and Sarah Apwisch, of Fabius Township. …

The Economic Development Administration announced Wednesday the U.S. Department of Commerce is investing $3.7 million in American Rescue Funds to support business development in Vicksburg. The project will help create and retain jobs by supporting the development of two commercial lots in Vicksburg’s industrial business park and a 100-acre industrial-zoned lot, in addition to the redevelopment of a former paper …

Michigan State Police troopers are looking for a man and woman who allegedly passed a bad check and stole a car this week in Branch County’s Kinderhook Township. According to a department media release, 59-year-old Brian David Martin and 52-year-old Angela Plovie met in the 700 block of Angola Road with the intent of buying a car from an individual. …

A re-zoning request that would pave the way for development of a Dollar General in Nottawa was denied Tuesday by the Nottawa Township Planning Commission. The vote followed more than two hours of discussion and comments from nearly two dozen people opposed to the project. Those against the proposed rezoning said Dollar General does not fit within the community’s character. …

St. Joseph County sheriff’s deputies are investigating the theft of a trailer earlier this month from a location in Sturgis Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies were notified that the trailer was stolen between July 16 and 18 from behind a business in the 69000 block of White Street. The trailer is gray and has two axles. It features wood …

New coronavirus cases leaped in Michigan in the week ending Sunday, rising 27 percent, as more than 16,000 cases were reported. The previous week had more than 13,000 new cases of the virus that causes COVID-19. St. Joseph County reported 72 cases and one death in the most recent week. A week earlier, it had reported 37 cases and zero deaths. …

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 …