News

St. Joseph County sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of stolen property last week in Mottville Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies were called around 7 a.m. Thursday to the 10000 block of U.S 12. Investigators found that a 2006, dark green Subaru Outback with Ohio registration was stolen. In addition, vehicle parts and shop equipment were taken from the …

Sturgis City Commission members recently approved a bid to renovate restroom and locker facilities at Doyle Community Center. Upgrading the men’s locker room facilities at Doyle had been planned and budgeted as part of the fiscal year’s capital improvement plan. The commission accepted the sole base bid of $95,500 submitted for the work from Brussee/Brady, as well as two bids of $10,500 and …

The number of COVID-19 Delta variant cases in Branch and St. Joseph counties continues to increase, according to the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency. As of June 30, the agency is aware of nine confirmed cases in Branch county and five in St. Joseph county. All three vaccines are effective against the virus by reducing the severity of symptoms and …

Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce has announced a grand opening of its new headquarters. Chamber executive director Christy Trammell said the chamber’s location at 1116 N. Main St. will be the site of a public open house 3 to 6 p.m. July 26. Trammell said beverages, snacks and giveaways will be available to commemorate the event. A ribbon-cutting ceremony …

The Sturgis Historical Museum At The Depot has re-opened. The recent opening marks the first time the museum has kept regular hours since the conclusion of the 2019 season. In 2020, the pandemic limited community access. Featured attractions created for 2020 remain on display because so few people had the chance to experience them last year, said Jenifer Blouin Policelli, …

A Constantine man was arrested last week after leading sheriff’s deputies on a pursuit into Elkhart County. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies were called shortly before 11 p.m. June 27 regarding an incident of shots fired. As deputies responded, they noticed a vehicle coming from the area of the incident. Deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop for an equipment …

Cass County deputies responded last week to a two-vehicle collision in Porter Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly before 7 o’clock Wednesday morning to an area of U.S. 12 near South River Road. Investigators said a vehicle driven westbound on U.S. 12 attempted to pass a semi in a no-passing zone. The vehicle, driven by Nicole Bielak, …

St. Joseph County officials appear ready to discontinue the format of virtual meetings. During their executive committee meeting last week, commissioners agreed to not renew the state of emergency that allows them to meet virtually only. The declaration is set to expire July 5. While commissioners have been using a hybrid format – in-person and via Zoom – for their …

About $5 million in cash and college scholarships will be given away in lottery-style drawings aimed at raising Michigan’s COVID-19 vaccination rate, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Thursday. The incentive program features a $2 million jackpot, a $1 million prize and 30 daily drawings of $50,000 for residents ages 18 and older who have received at least one shot. Vaccinated residents …

President Joe Biden stayed mum on policy during a Saturday trip to Michigan, focusing instead on cherries — and cherry pie and cherry ice cream — and voters who were mask-free as coronavirus restrictions have eased. It had all the hallmarks of a campaign stop that he couldn’t make last year. Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer greeted Biden when he arrived …