News

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident that occurred last week in Constantine. Investigators said the break-in occurred between 10 p.m. May 22 and 9 a.m. May 23 at a residence on West Fourth Street. Items reported stolen include four long guns, one tablet, a lockbox and a gold pocket watch.

Organizers behind Colon’s Fourth of July celebration are seeking vendors for the one-day event next month. The Colon Chamber of Commerce said the deadline for applications is this week. Cost is $35 for a 10-by-10-foot space; $40 for two 10-by-10-foot spaces; and $55 for three 10-by-10-foot spaces. Chamber members receive a $10 discount, while there is no charge for non-profit …

A roundabout project at the intersection of East Lafayette Road and North Franks Avenue in Sturgis is being delayed by one year, due to bidding concerns at the state level. City officials said the Michigan Department of Transportation-led project was able to get only one bid for construction. Additionally, the bid was approximately $300,000 above the estimated cost. The city …

Cass County deputies responded last week to a report of a subject with firearms in the vicinity of Cassopolis Schools. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly before 11 a.m. Friday to Kamp Kozy Street and Ranger Drive, near Ross Beatty High School in Jefferson Township. Behnke said responding units contacted the individual, who claimed he was small-game hunting …

Two women were injured in a two-vehicle crash last week in Cass County’s Volinia Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly before 5:30 p.m. Wednesday to Marcellus Highway and Decatur Road. Investigators said 49-year-old Mishawaka resident Stacie Johnson was driving north on Decatur Road and failed to yield the right away to an eastbound vehicle, driven by Karma Taylor, …

U.S. Rep. Fred Upton was honored last week by the St. Joseph County Bar Association with the 2022 Liberty Bell Award. Jordan Yancey, St. Joseph County Bar Association president, spoke about the award and introduced Upton. She said the association created the local award in 1985 and is presented to a non-lawyer, individual, or organization, within the St. Joseph County …

April’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County decreased by one-tenth of a percent from March. According to the monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget, St. Joseph County’s unemployment rate fell from 3.5 percent in March to 3.4 percent in April. The rate was 5.2 percent 12 months earlier. Meanwhile, Cass County also experienced a …

St. Joseph County District Court Judge Jeff Middleton ordered safety-related improvements of a White Pigeon commercial building by the end of August. If such improvements are not completed by then, Middleton said there’s a chance he will order the demolition of the Tasty Nut Shop. The latest hearing on the fate of the historic building took place last week. A …

Cass County Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies are investigating a case of animal cruelty at a location in Calvin Township. Behnke said deputies responded to the 6000 block of Kessington Road, where several horses and dogs were found shot to death. A number of separate incidents have occurred over the past six weeks, he said. The agency is being assisted …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is now offering booster doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines for children ages 5-11 years who have completed their primary series at least 5 months ago. Pfizer-BioNTech is the only COVID-19 vaccine currently authorized for those ages. COVID-19 booster doses may be given at the same time as other vaccines. Health officer Rebecca Burns said vaccination …