News

Faced with spiking COVID-19 infections, Michigan health officials issued a public health advisory Friday recommending that everyone over age 2 wear a mask at indoor public settings regardless of their vaccination status. The guidance also says public-facing businesses and other establishments should implement masking policies and encourage compliance. Unvaccinated or immunocompromised people are urged to avoid large crowds and gatherings. The state …

Members of the Constantine Village Council this week reviewed a report by structural engineer Nick Barnitz, who reported on building damage at the fire station. Barnitz said the building is 84 years old, and there is significant vertical cracking on the north and south walls, a corner of an east wall, and significant deterioration of steel lintels of the four …

A suspect was arrested following two armed robberies in the village of Marcellus Tuesday afternoon. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly before 6 p.m. to the Shell Gas Station. While information was being taken, a second armed robbery call came in from nearby Mega Liquor. Authorities said information taken at the time gave a basic description of the …

A Sturgis man involved in a fatal shooting last year could serve up to 50 years in prison following his sentencing Monday by St. Joseph County Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman. Erik Davis, 36, was sentenced to between 15 and 50 years for the October 2020 shooting death of Doug Smith, 33. Chief Assistant Prosecutor Gary Gabry said Davis pleaded …

Five Star Pizza in Colon has partnered with the St. Joseph County United Way for a chance to win free pizza for a year. In support of Five Star’s Adoption Fund, the pizza raffle winner will be drawn Dec. 8 at the United Way’s Centreville office. Tickets are $5 each of five for $20. Tickets are available at any Five …

Due to a staffing issue and substitute shortage, Colon Community Schools has announced it will move to virtual learning starting today and continuing through Wednesday next week. District officials said classes will resume face-to-face instruction Nov. 29. Teachers this week have been preparing one-to-one technology and students for the move to distance learning. Attendance remains mandatory and will be taken. …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating the theft of a dump trailer taken earlier this month from a location in White Pigeon Township. The incident occurred between 5 p.m. Nov. 8 and 5:30 p.m. Nov. 10 in the 69000 block of Huff Road. The stolen trailer is a 2009 Quality Steel brand, dual-axel bearing Michigan registration plate B998437. The trailer …

Shipshewana will once again become home to more than two million LED Christmas lights displayed in a mile-and-a-half long symphony this Christmas season. Shipshewana’s Lights of Joy, a drive-through experience, will begin its fourth season this weekend, opening Friday and available again Saturday. The spectacle will also be open every Tuesday thru Sunday, from Nov. 26 through Dec. 31. Lights …

A Kalamazoo man was arrested after authorities discovered the motorcycle he was driving had been reported stolen. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies stopped the motorcycle the evening of Nov. 9 after it was observed leaving the Shell Mart gas station in Centreville. The motorcycle was found to have been stolen out of Portage in August. The 54-year-old driver was issued …

New coronavirus cases increased 7.7 percent in Michigan during the week ending Sunday, as the state added more than 37,000 cases. The previous week had more than 34,000 new cases of the virus that causes COVID-19. St. Joseph County reported 248 cases and one death in the latest week. A week earlier, it had reported 233 cases and zero deaths. …