News

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 …

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 …