News

The University of Michigan and Michigan State University will require all students, faculty and staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by the start of the fall semester. Both university presidents said Friday that action is being taken due to the spread of the more infectious delta variant. Michigan State is taking things a step further and requiring masks to be …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has provided updated figures regarding COVID-19 and its vaccinations for the week ending July 25. Agency officials said St. Joseph County reported 12 new cases and no deaths in the latest week. A week earlier, it had reported eight cases, and no deaths. Throughout the pandemic, the county has reported 6,288 cases and 101 …

Geri’s Resource Center and The Huss School Project have joined to present “Math Camp on the Farm.” The free, hands-on, outdoor learning experience is for students entering sixth and seventh grades. The first session starts Monday and concludes Friday. The second session runs Aug. 9 through Aug. 13. Both sessions are from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Take-home lunch is available …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating the larceny of catalytic converters from two vehicles in Calhoun County. The larcenies occurred between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Thursday at the park-and-ride lot off Michigan Avenue at I-69.

St. Joseph County commissioners are expected to make at least four exceptions to their hiring freeze to fill key positions. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman told commissioners during their executive committee meeting Wednesday he would like to fill three openings – two at animal control and a deputy road patrol position. Meanwhile, Tabitha Wedge, District Court administrator/magistrate, asked commissioners to consider an …

The St. Joseph County United Way is offering $50 gift cards to people who receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The promotion will conclude Sept. 30th or until the inventory of gift cards has been exhausted. United Way Executive Director Kelly Hostetler said the agency was the recipient of $58,000 to help local healthcare providers get more people vaccinated in St. Joseph …

Three nominees will be a part of the inaugural class of the St. Joseph County Road Commission “Recognition Award” program. Commission manager John Lindsey announced the recognition and honorees during last week’s county board meeting. Lindsey said Bruce Jones, D.W. Arney and Frank Shellenberger will be recognized for the honor. Jones, who passed away in 2018, spent 52 years with …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday announced economic development grants for manufacturers Cruiser RV and Heartland Recreational Vehicles in support of two new manufacturing campuses in Sturgis. State officials said the projects are expected to support 450 new jobs in St. Joseph County. The projects, identified as Project White and Project Black, were announced in March by the city of Sturgis, with state stipulations preventing details …

An arrest related to a shooting incident in Three Rivers earlier this month has been made. Authorities said 21-year-old Sturgis resident Donovan Foster has been taken into custody, as he is the suspect in a shooting July 12 at Paul’s Pantry, 261 E. Michigan Ave. Foster was arrested Thursday at a home in Sturgis and taken to the St. Joseph County jail. A …

A celebration recognizing the new location of Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce took place Monday. The fanfare and ceremonial ribbon-cutting marked the $1 million transformation of a previously vacant development known as Maple Lane Plaza, on North Main Street. The rebirth of the former Maple Lane Plaza was detailed and praised repeatedly by a number of speakers who addressed …