News

St. Joseph County commissioners recently approved budget amendments to benefit the sheriff’s department. During their Nov. 16 meeting, commissioners OK’d a $62,000 adjustment for a policy-review service called Lexipol and an additional $65,000 to cover expenses related to a renovation project. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said the renovation centers on the former St. Joseph County Parks and Recreation Department headquarters. The …

A process that was typically a routine matter in years past was approved earlier this month by St. Joseph County commissioners after an inordinate amount of attention. The roster of public defenders, whose members serve as court-appointed attorneys through 2022, was OK’d by the board Nov. 2. The matter drew a second look this year after former prosecutor John McDonough …

A 54-year-old man who shot three people on a city bus in Kalamazoo has died after being wounded while exchanging gunfire with police. Kalamazoo Public Safety Chief Vernon Coakley said Anthony Oliver died Saturday at a hospital following the 9:15 a.m. shootings at the Kalamazoo Transportation Center. The motive behind the shootings was not immediately clear, Coakley said, adding that …

Winter is just around the corner, but experts say the Great Lakes haven’t gotten the message. After summer and fall evenings that failed to cool sufficiently, surface temperatures in the massive bodies of water are trending above average, the Chicago Tribune reported. It’s an example of climate change. “What was kind of jarring was the consistency of the warmer-than-normal conditions,” state …

Members of the Constantine Village Council recently approved a five-year parks and recreation plan. In 2022, the plan calls for installation of a concrete pad at Riverview Park pavilion; chains for swings; painting the cannon and park equipment at Cannon Park; and a new drinking fountain. A year later, the village plans to support construction of a $100,000 splash pad …

The generosity of several area entities has resulted in the renovation of the welding technology lab at Glen Oaks Community College. Work is nearing completion on the $350,000 project, with $87,500 coming through donations to fund the cost of 20 new welding booths, complete with vacuum systems. President David Devier acknowledged Platinum-level sponsors TH Plastics Inc., Morgan Olson and Mike Elliott, …

Armstrong Park in Three Rivers has nearly two dozen new trees along its walkways thanks to the efforts of the Three Rivers Rotary Club. Rotary Club member Jared Hoffmaster, who was instrumental in development of Armstrong Park, said the addition positively changes the look of the park. Hoffmaster is vice president of the River Country Sports Commission, a non-profit that …

Three Rivers Community Schools officials have released a statement regarding Pride flags in classrooms. Released Wednesday afternoon and posted on the district’s website, the message recapped the situation that led to middle school health teacher Russell Ball walking off the job Monday and ultimately resigning. District officials said they were notified by what they call “an external party,” Nov. 18. …

A recent outbreak of 525 cases of influenza among students at University of Michigan has prompted the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency to issue a media release centering on the importance of a flu shot. Statewide surveillance shows flu-vaccination numbers are lower than last year’s, which puts the community at higher risk for transmission, agency officials said. The agency understands …

The Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education recently approved the purchase of vaping sensors to be installed in all bathrooms and locker rooms at Sturgis Middle School and Sturgis High School. The board selected Summit Fire Protection of Paw Paw to install the 46 Halo Smart Sensors, which are required to cover all bathrooms and locker rooms in the two buildings. In addition …