News

A quest to make “Fisher Lake” the official name of the 327-acre body of water was stalled by the U.S. agency in charge of such matters. The formality was sought by lake residents Marian Cottingham-Schliesman and Katie Sweeney, who approached St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners in February seeking its support for the official declaration. Though the county never took …

Michigan State Police troopers were dispatched to a liquor store in Coldwater last week in response to an armed robbery. State police officials said troopers were called at 8:30 p.m. March 21 to Rick’s Party Store. During the course of the armed robbery, an iPhone XR – black in color with a cracked screen – was stolen. It is believed …

The trial of a man charged in a deadly shooting that sent shoppers fleeing for safety inside a northern Indiana shopping mall has ended with a hung jury. A St. Joseph County (Indiana) judge declared a mistrial in Dazhon Howard’s murder trial Thursday after jurors said they were deadlocked, the South Bend Tribune reported. Prosecutors can now move for a retrial, offer …

Sturgis City Commission is seeking applications to fill the seat recently vacated by Karl Littman. The seat is for the 4th Precinct, which covers the boundary of Sturgis north of East Chicago Road and east of North Prospect Street. To qualify for consideration, prospective applicants must be a registered voter in the 4th Precinct. Correspondence with name, address, phone number, …

An Upper Peninsula city is closing a portion of a road to vehicular traffic every night to protect migrating salamanders. The city of Marquette is closing a portion of Peter White Drive in Presque Isle Park from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily until April 15 or until the migration is completed, the city announced. The closures began on Monday. …

St. Joseph County Road Commission Manager John Lindsey said the agency has identified four bridges under its jurisdiction for potential funding from Michigan Department of Transportation. The bridges are in need of upgrades and Lindsey said an application to the state agency as part of its “bridge bundling” program will soon be on its way to Lansing. Lindsey said the …

St. Joseph County Intermediate School District superintendent Teresa Belote has been rated “highly effective” by the district’s board of education. Board president Elizabeth O’Dell said it was unanimously decided that Belote’s job performance was extremely effective and that her contract should be extended. Board members noted that Belote is an effective and efficient communicator, O’Dell said. Belote was acknowledged for …

Lockport Township resident Rick Shaffer has announced his candidacy for Second District St. Joseph County Commissioner. Shaffer has served as a county commissioner on two previous occasions. On the ballot during the Aug. 4 primary election, the second district seat will represent Florence and Lockport townships, part of Fabius Township, and part of the city of Three Rivers. It is …

Choosing to err on the side of caution, organizers of the annual Mendon Dust-Off car show have announced the 2022 show is canceled. Heidi Alexander, president of the Classic and Antique Restorers Club, which sponsors the Dust-Off, said several considerations were taken under advisement. It was ultimately decided to hold off and instead commit to the 2023 Dust-Off. The May …

Michigan insurers that require health providers to get pre-approval to cover treatment would have to promptly respond to doctors’ requests or those requests would be automatically granted under a bill headed to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for her expected signature. The legislation received final, unanimous Senate approval on Thursday. Advocates said the measure would speed delays in care and provide more transparency around …