News

Indiana Michigan Power is planning to invest nearly $56 million to enhance its electric transmission network across southwest Michigan. I&M officials announced Tuesday the final line routes for two high-voltage power lines in St. Joseph and Cass counties to support the region’s electrical needs and enhance reliability. The White Pigeon Transmission Line Improvements Project involves building almost nine miles of …

A 32-year-old Sturgis man was ordered to be sent to the Michigan Center for Forensic Psychiatry to evaluate his competency to stand trial and criminal responsibility. Clayton Warren, 32, was arrested April 22 on charges of criminal sexual conduct and producing and putting online child pornography. Appointed public defender Laurie Hines requested the evaluation in a motion. St. Joseph County …

Michigan voters in November will decide whether to revise some of the country’s strictest legislative term limits and require state elected officials to report information about their finances to avoid conflicts of interest. The Legislature on Tuesday unveiled the proposed constitutional amendment and placed it on the statewide ballot within hours, with no debate or notice. The move saved a ballot committee …

Centreville school officials have authorized an additional three full-time employees. The positions, approved by the district’s board of education Monday, will be in place at the start of the 2022-23 academic year. They are: elementary school dean of students, special-education teacher and high school music teacher. Superintendent Chad Brady said a strong argument can be made to support the need …

Pam Keeslar has been named the 2022 recipient of the John E. Oster Award for Excellence in Teaching. She was honored Friday at the 60th anniversary gala of Sturgis Area Community Foundation. Keeslar has taught at Eastwood School for 24 years and holds a master’s degree in education. At Eastwood School, Keeslar goes above and beyond to support students and school …

A number of committee appointments were recently approved by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. Damon Knapp was added to the Community Mental Health Board, while Darci Skrzyniarz, Cathi Abbs, Anthony Heiser and Dennis Allen were re-appointed. Next, Michael O’Rourke was appointed to the county’s solid waste board. Diana Listin has been named to the St. Joseph County Transportation …

In the wake of a second consecutive millage-request defeat, Constantine Public Schools Superintendent Jim Wisely said he and district officials are attempting to figure out a logical next step. The district’s May 2 request for an additional two-tenths of a mill, which would have generated $38.8 million for various improvements, was defeated, 754 opposed to 442 in favor. Wisely said …

New coronavirus cases leaped in Michigan in the week ending May 8, rising 30 percent as nearly 19,000 cases were reported. The previous week had 14,482 new cases of the virus that causes COVID-19. St. Joseph County reported 21 cases and no deaths for the week. The highest number of weekly outbreaks on a per-person basis were in Washtenaw, Oakland …

Glen Oaks Community College last week staged its first in-person graduation ceremony since 2019, as about 130 of the school’s 181 graduates took part in Friday’s program. It was also livestreamed through various platforms. President David Devier recognized several individuals during the ceremony. Those receiving awards were: Outstanding Service Award – Tom Miller. Adjunct Faculty Teaching Excellence Award – Carmen …

March’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County decreased by four-tenths of a percent from February. 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 fell from 3.9 percent in February to 3.5 percent in March. The rate was 5.5 percent 12 months earlier. Meanwhile, Cass County …