News

Glen Oaks Community College President David Devier recently led a presentation centering on work at the college and what remains to be completed. Devier shared a presentation called “A completion of the capital plan: A new dawn for GOCC.” It was the focus topic of a recent meeting of the Glen Oaks Community College Board of Trustees. According to Devier’s …

The city of Sturgis is implementing a program to fill emergency medical-service-provider staffing shortfalls and to provide more comprehensive EMS coverage in coming years. Ryan Banaszak, Sturgis director of public safety, said the area has experienced challenges firsthand as local EMS providers have seen a dramatic decrease in staffing and fewer people entering into the emergency medical field in the …

A local group called “100 Goodfellas” recently awarded Pregnancy Helpline with a check for $6,600. In addition, the group anticipates collecting approximately $3,000 more for the organization. Pregnancy Helpline director Carol Stuckey said she would like to thank 100 Goodfellas for selecting them as their charity of choice this quarter. A check presentation was made recently and included Andy Boyd, president of the board of directors for Pregnancy Helpline, and Tony Percival, representing 100 …

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Wednesday that she still supports President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate, clarifying comments she made earlier this month in which she expressed concerns about it. After a federal appeals court overruled a decision last week that paused a nationwide vaccine mandate for employers of 100 workers or more, 27 Republican-led state governments have come forward with their intent …

St. Joseph County Administrator Teresa Doehring announced Tuesday tentative contract agreements have been reached with the county’s 10 different labor unions. Doehring said with two exceptions, annual raises of 2 percent will be given in each of the next three years. Meanwhile, corrections officers will receive 3 percent raises annually over the next 36 months while the command group for …

During Tuesday’s county commission meeting, commissioner Jared Hoffmaster said the five-county Southwest Michigan Solid Waste Consortium has been dissolved. He said St. Joseph County, however, will continue to keep its own Solid Waste Committee. On an unrelated note, Hoffmaster said the St. Joseph County Transportation Board is in need of members. The board meets the third Tuesday of the month. …

Sturgis commissioners are reviewing a plan calling for development of a trail on leased Michigan Southern Railway right-of-way. The proposed route would extend from west of Big Hill Road west to North Jefferson Street, then south to Chicago Road. Initially, the scope of work consists of preliminary design layout, final design, preparation of contractor requests for bids, evaluation of bids, …

The St. Joseph County United Way has stepped in to assist the family of a Centreville man and his young son who both died in a car crash last weekend. Director Kelly Hostetler said the agency has established a fund to aid the family of Phillip Parker with funeral expenses and other financial demands. Parker, age 30, and his 5-year-old …

A Florence Township resident will replace a long-time member of the St. Joseph County Road Commission Board. County commissioners Tuesday appointed David Miars to the six-year term, replacing David Allen. Allen had indicated he was ready to step down from the road commission board after completing a six-year term of his own. Miars, who is chairman of the county’s Public …

St. Joseph County Transportation Authority is appealing to businesses and individuals willing to help support its annual New Year’s Eve Free Ride Home program. The six-hour service starts at 8 p.m. Dec. 31 and is offered free of charge to New Year’s Eve revelers in St. Joseph County. CTA drivers will pick up and drop off a rider anywhere in …