News

November’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County decreased by three-tenths of a percent from October. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget was released recently. It showed St. Joseph County’s unemployment rate fell from 4.3 percent in October to 4 percent in November. The rate was 5.8 percent 12 months earlier. Meanwhile, Cass County …

Sturgis firefighters responded to two separate house fires on the same day last week. Officials said the department was summoned around 5 a.m. Friday to the 500 block of Michigan Avenue for a report of a structure fire. Arriving units found flames coming from the attic area. However, firefighters were able to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating a one-car crash that occurred last week in Mottville Township. Authorities were dispatched to an area on U.S. 12 near Burke Road, where the driver of a car lost control of his vehicle. Witnesses told investigators that the driver of the at-fault vehicle was traveling east on U.S. 12 when he attempted to overtake …

A new sign will soon be placed in front of Sturgis Department of Public Safety. Sturgis Planning Commission members recently approved a request for the sign, which will reflect a rebranding of the police and fire stations to the department of public safety. The city’s design-review committee has reviewed the proposed signage for the North Nottawa Street site. The sign, …

2021 will be remembered for being slightly milder than usual, with below normal snowfall and near normal precipitation. Temperatures averaged around 1 to 3 degrees above normal across our area. Precipitation was quite variable, but averaged close to normal for the year. Snowfall averaged below normal for most of our area.  (NWS)

The judges of a Michigan university’s cheeky annual “Banished Words List” have a message for texting and tweeting Americans: Your “wait, what?” joke is lame. The phrase topped Lake Superior State University in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula lighthearted list of 10 “winners” chosen from among more than 1,250 submissions of overused, misused and generally groan-inducing words or phrases. “Wait, what?” irritated …

Results of a student-satisfaction survey were recently reviewed by the Glen Oaks Community College Board of Trustees. Tammy Russell, executive director of institutional planning, assessment and research for the college, presented the findings. About 25 percent of Glen Oaks students participated in the survey. Russell explained approximately 59,000 students across the nation participated in the Noel Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory, …

Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education members have started the process of filling Scott Swihart’s vacant seat on the board. Swihart resigned from the board of education because of an increase in out-of-town work responsibilities. Swihart’s resignation was effective Dec. 10. The vacant position that the appointed person will fill ends Dec. 31, 2022. The deadline for anyone interested in …

Michigan’s health and education departments on Thursday urged schools to postpone or make virtual large gatherings, including sporting events, if they are not “essential” — as COVID-19 cases spike across the state. The recommendation, intended to keep schools open when classes resume after the winter break next week, was included in a letter to K-12 superintendents and charter school directors. Large events …

Glen Oaks Community College Board of Trustees has approved a capital-outlay project three years in the making. The board’s vote earlier this month was the final step to set the project in motion. The college’s $7.3 million capital outlay project includes renovation to the north side of campus, including E.J. Shaheen Library, the art studio, classrooms, restrooms and foyer. Also …