News

At least half of Michigan’s public K-12 students must wear a mask in school, a figure that has grown as local health or education officials order requirements that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer supports but is hesitant to reinstitute statewide. Several counties, including six of the 10 most populated ones, now mandate face coverings for students, teachers and staff indoors regardless of …

Three locations on Saturday will be staging an advance screening of a documentary on the St. Joseph River. Produced by PBS network WNIT-TV of South Bend, “Then, Now & Always … The St. Joseph River Story,” will air on network television Sept. 9. But the advance screenings will take place at 4:30 p.m. at Covered Bridge Farm County Park north …

Two Sturgis men were arrested this week on drug-related offenses following an agency investigation. A search warrant was executed at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the 600 block of St. Joseph Street in Sturgis, where a several-weeks investigation led by Southwest Enforcement Team had been ongoing. SWET officials said the investigation involved surveillance of a home known for drug activity. At …

Michigan State Police agency is seeking volunteers to assist with its “Angel” program, which allows an individual struggling with addiction to walk into any post and ask for assistance without fear of arrest or investigation. Angel volunteers respond to assist MSP post personnel in locating the appropriate treatment option and with transporting the participant to a treatment center. Volunteers are …

The Three Rivers Department of Public Services has announced it will start twice-a-year hydrant flushing next month. DPS Director Amy Roth said the agency expects flushing to start Sept. 7 and continue through Oct. 8. Flushing will occur 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday during that one-month period. Due to many variables, Roth said the department is not …

The city of Three Rivers, in cooperation with Three Rivers Community Schools, has announced a flow-of-traffic change in the area of Andrews Elementary. To address traffic and safety concerns on South Street at Andrews School, the city said effective this week, the portion of South Street between South Douglas and South Grant has been changed from one-way eastbound to one-way …

Centreville Public Schools Superintendent Stephanie Lemmer provided an enrollment update during this week’s board of education meeting. Based on preliminary numbers for the 2021-22 academic year, Lemmer said she was pleasantly surprised and excited. Projections call for about 840 students, an increase in enrollment that prompted Lemmer to say classroom sizes are still manageable. Average classroom size, she said, is …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared a state of emergency for Branch, Hillsdale and St. Joseph counties related to severe thunderstorms and straight-line winds Aug. 11 and 12. This is the second step for county entities to try obtaining state aid for reimbursement toward cleanup-related costs. All three counties had requested a governor’s declaration. By declaring a state of emergency, Whitmer …

New coronavirus cases leaped in Michigan in the week ending Sunday, rising 20.1 percent, as 12,043 cases were reported. St. Joseph County reported 85 cases and zero deaths in the latest week. A week earlier, it had reported 77 cases and zero deaths. Throughout the pandemic it has reported 6,535 cases and 104 deaths.  The positive test rate is 18.8 …

High humidity and hot temperatures are forcing a number of St. Joseph County school districts to alter their daily schedules. Most are switching from a full day of classes to half days for the rest of the week. Colon High School will dismiss classes at 11:20 a.m. the rest of the week, while elementary students will be excused at 11:30. With …