News

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 …

Three Rivers Community Schools on Monday named Nikki Nash its permanent superintendent. Nash had served as interim superintendent since fall, when Ron Moag left the district to pursue other opportunities. Following the vote, Nash told board members she was excited to be the new permanent superintendent. Nash sad she never intended to be in the position she has found herself, …

Centreville Public Schools will host two, new Career and Technical Education classes in the fall. Board members last week approved a plan for the district to offer Health Science II and a class centering on Public Safety. Offered in conjunction with the St. Joseph County Intermediate School District, the two courses will provide a pipeline to students interested in either …

A Jones resident was injured in a single-vehicle crash earlier this week in Cass County’s Calvin Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly after 11 p.m. Tuesday to a location on Union Road, north of Calvin Hill Street. Behnke said 26-year-old Corey McDonald was driving a motorcycle south on Union Road when it was struck by a deer. …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating a larceny from a building. The incident occurred during an unspecified period in the 12000 block of North River Road in Constantine Township. The suspect was reportedly seen leaving the area in a small, blue pickup. The victim told authorities numerous tools and farm equipment were stolen from the scene.

The use of red-light cameras to issue traffic tickets would be banned in Michigan law under legislation that was approved Tuesday by the Senate and sent to the House for further consideration. Neither the state nor municipalities have the automated cameras that have been deployed elsewhere. In 2007, then-state Attorney General Mike Cox issued an opinion declaring them to be …