News

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 …

Centreville Public Schools Superintendent Stephanie Lemmer provided an update on the district’s summer-long construction projects. During Monday’s board of education meeting, Lemmer said the roof over the high school gymnasium is currently being replaced. In addition, new scoreboards for the football field and gymnasium were to be delivered and installed this week. The district on Monday was issued its occupancy …

Michigan Court of Appeals has rejected a request to overturn the case of a man involved in a fatal shooting in Flowerfield Township nearly three years ago. Theron Hunt will serve the rest of his life in prison without parole after his jury trial conviction in St. Joseph County Circuit Court. On Jan. 15, 2020, Hunt was found guilty of …

A Hillsdale County high school student was the winner of the Michigan “Shot to Win” scholarship campaign. Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency officials said Reading High School’s Mallory Wheeler will receive a four-year Michigan Educational Trust contract valued at $55,000, which may be used to pay for college tuition and fees. Wheeler’s lottery entry was randomly selected from more than …

Constantine Village Manager Mark Honeysett provided an assessment of the storms that struck the area nearly two weeks ago. During last week’s village council meeting, Honeysett called the Aug. 11 and 12 weather events a direct-line storm, not a tornado. He said the storms took out a large number of trees and large branches around the village. Honeysett said the …

GT Independence in Sturgis has named Megan Owen as chief operating officer, Cindy Desch as chief talent officer and Jeremy Gump as chief administrative officer. The appointments were announced by CEO Holly Carmichael, who assumed that role Aug. 5. All three appointees took over their new roles effective Aug. 17 and are actively working to support GT’s operations, Carmichael said. …

St. Joseph County officials are optimistic that State Sen. Kim LaSata’s effort might help the county secure “state of emergency” status. LaSata on Wednesday called for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to declare a state of emergency in St. Joseph County in the aftermath of the recent storms that left significant damage throughout the area. In her message to Whitmer, LaSata said the …

Here’s a reminder that the Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a “Legislative Luncheon” with Congressman Fred Upton. The event will take place from noon to 1 p.m. Aug. 30 at the chamber’s event center, 116 N. Main St. Cost is $15 for members and $20 for non-members. Price includes lunch. RSVP to the chamber by phoning 278-8193.

St. Joseph County officials are asking the public to complete a survey related to damage from last week’s storms. E-911 Director Dennis Brandenburg said the county is interested in receiving damage reports as a result of the severe weather last Wednesday and Thursday. The county is looking to find resources to help residents. Brandenburg said knowing the locations where damage …