News

St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department recently settled union contracts with its employees. The agreement means a few modifications to contracts the department has for patrol services in Centreville, Burr Oak and Fabius Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite told commissioners last week the three-year contracts, which started this calendar year, will reflect an annual increase in rates for coverage. The agreement with …

A third St. Joseph County school district is now looking for a permanent superintendent. Colon Community Schools Board of Education on Monday accepted the resignation of Penny Brockway. The 52-year-old Brockway was in the midst of her fifth year in Colon. Colon joins Three Rivers and Centreville as St. Joseph County school districts looking for permanent superintendents. Colon’s board on …

A Marcellus man was involved in a crash last weekend in Cass County’s Volinia Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies responded shortly after 4 p.m. Saturday to an area on Marcellus Road, east of Gards Prairie Road. Investigators said 25-year-old Austin Hiser was driving east on Marcellus Road when he attempted to pass a car and lost control of his …

St. Joseph County commissioners agreed last week to switch companies responsible for providing medical services to inmates at the sheriff’s department jail. The matter was discussed at length during the county’s executive committee meeting Feb. 8 and approved by commissioners Feb. 15. The agreement means the end of a five-year relationship with Covered Bridge Health and the start of a …

Glen Oaks Community College’s basketball program is hosting a Youth Day on Wednesday. The goal of the program is to continue to build local pride in the Viking men’s and women’s programs, and for the teams to become more involved in the community. Women’s head coach Robbie Hattan said Glen Oaks basketball players would eventually like to get into school …

The cause of Sunday’s structure fire that injured the occupant is being investigated by the Sturgis Department of Public Safety fire marshal. First responders were dispatched shortly before 2 p.m. to the 1100 block of Meadow Lane for a fire in an attached garage of a residence. Upon arrival, fire crews found the garage fully engulfed and fire extending to …

After recent protests at Branch-Hillsdale- St. Joseph Health Agency meetings, Hillsdale County commissioner Brent Leininger suggested a change in policy for public comments. An email to Policy Committee members suggested the presiding officer may prohibit public comments that are frivolous, repetitive or harassing. Leininger said he serves on a school board that adopted similar rules. Protestors caused disruptions at the December and January …

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners last week approved a pair of re-appointments to the county’s Agricultural Preservation Board. Sherman Township resident John Fair Jr. and Mendon Township’s Larry Rice will return to serve three-year terms, which will expire in March 2025. In addition, commissioner Dan Czajkowski was appointed to serve a one-year term expiring in March 2023.

U.S. health officials have warned parents not to use three powdered infant formulas manufactured at an Abbott plant in Sturgis. Investigators recently linked bacterial contamination to the three formulas. The Food and Drug Administration said it is investigating four reports of infants who were hospitalized after consuming the formula, including one who died. The agency said one of the cases …

The Michigan Senate Finance Committee last week heard testimony on legislation sponsored by Sen. Kim LaSata to aid new farmers entering the industry and helping preserve Michigan’s agricultural history. Senate Bill 697 would grant a tax credit to a farmer who rents or sells an agricultural asset – including land, livestock, machinery and buildings – to a beginning farmer. Under the …