News

The village of Constantine has applied for funding through the American Rescue Plan Act. Village manager Mark Honeysett said all municipalities in the state are eligible. According to the Department of the Treasury, Constantine is eligible for more than $220,000. Payments would be split over two years, with restrictions on how the money is spent. It may be used to invest in …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating the larceny of a boat engine from a residence in Branch County last week. Investigators said the incident took place in the night but before morning Saturday on Union Lake in Sherwood Township. Suspects entered the boat from another vessel on the lake. The engine is described as a 2005 Honda, 4-stroke engine. It …

Constantine Village Manager Mark Honeysett said renovation of the U.S. 131 Business Route bridge over the St. Joseph River is a month behind schedule. Honeysett said the delay is attributed to a shortage of materials. Decking will be complete by the end of the month and use of the bridge will switch from one lane on the east side to one lane on the west …

Mike Rasmussen has been named athletic director at Glen Oaks Community College. Rasmussen comes from Colon Jr./Sr. High School, where he served as its principal. He previously was employed by White Pigeon Community Schools. Rasmussen graduated with an associate’s degree in 2001 from Glen Oaks and was selected as the President’s Award recipient.

Sheriff Mark A. Lillywhite and deputies are requesting the public’s assistance in identifying the driver of a blue sport bike. The agency’s interest stems from a pursuit on Fawn River Road around 10 a.m. Friday, Lillywhite said.

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners last week agreed to exemptions to the county’s hiring freeze for one position at district court, and five spots with the sheriff’s department. Tabitha Wedge, District Court administrator/magistrate, was given approval to fill the position of deputy clerk for the court’s civil division. Meanwhile, undersheriff Jason Bingaman was authorized to fill five positions within …

Rebecca Burns, health officer for the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency, spoke about COVID-19 and immunizations during her annual presentation to St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday. She said the agency administered about 40 COVID-19 immunizations at Project Connect, which took place earlier the same day. She said 40 may sound like a small number but in her …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating a hit-and-run collision involving a pickup and Mitsubishi passenger car Tuesday in Calhoun County’s Athens Township. Troopers said the incident occurred shortly after 10:30 p.m. on M-66, near 3 1/2 Mile Road. Both vehicles were travelling northbound when the driver of the car aggressively braked, causing the pickup to rear-end the passenger car, authorities …

The former Burger King property in Sturgis will soon be cleared of its overgrowth. Great Lakes Landscaping has been retained by the property’s new ownership for cleanup, Sturgis Township officials said Wednesday. Within the past few weeks, residents and township officials had expressed concern about the appearance of the lot. A noxious-weed notice had been placed on the front door …

A key figure with the local health department said it will recommend, but probably not mandate, that school districts adopt universal masking in grades K-12 when classes resume for the 2021-22 academic year. Rebecca Burns, health officer for the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency, appeared Tuesday before St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. Burns provided her annual report for 2020, …