News

Evaluation planned to create master plan for Camp Eberhart

The YMCA of Greater Michiana Board of Directors has announced a partnership with Benton Harbor-based Abonmarche Consultants to develop a facility master plan for the Y’s Camp Eberhart in Fabius Township. Mark Weber, CEO of YMCA of Greater Michiana, said many old and historic buildings on Camp Eberhart’s property need to be preserved and renovated. Weber said there is a …

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Michigan vaccinations rise again; masks in school urged

Michigan’s weekly number of people getting an initial COVID-19 shot rose for the third straight week after having consistently dropped for two months. The increase coincided with the spread of the delta variant — the most contagious coronavirus mutant yet — and a $5 million state sweepstakes designed to incentivize vaccinations. There were about 41,000 first-dose immunizations last week, the most since …

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Woman sentenced to probation for embezzling

A Sturgis woman was sentenced to probation and ordered to pay restitution for embezzling more than $180,000 from a Three Rivers real estate company. Jill Schmidt, 46, will be on probation two years for embezzling more than $183,000 from her former employer, REMAX Elite Group, where she had worked for 14 years. She was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Paul …

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Road millage approved in Park Township

Park Township voters Tuesday approved a half-mill proposal for road-related projects. The four-year millage was supported, 186 to 132, according to township supervisor Ed English. Township officials said the request is expected to generate more than $72,000 annually through 2024. English said Marcellus Road, Lang Road and a portion of Hutchinson Road will likely be the first routes to receive …

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More Michigan counties enter higher risk virus threat

Nearly half of Michigan residents live in counties where the federal government is urging everyone ages 2 and over, including the fully vaccinated, to wear masks in public indoor settings because transmission of the coronavirus is “high” or “substantial.” The guidance affected 33 of 83 counties as of Monday — including large ones such as Oakland, Macomb and Ingham — up from …

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Official in Michigan county gives up post in COVID aid flap

An official resigned as chairman of a county board in Michigan, the latest fallout from his decision to give himself a $25,000 bonus with federal COVID-19 relief money and reward others in the community. Jeremy Root will remain one of seven Shiawassee County commissioners but will no longer lead the board. “This whole county government needs major reform. … The integrity of …

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Woman injured in Burr Oak Township crash

A Burr Oak woman was treated for minor injuries after the vehicle she was driving was rear-ended last week in Burr Oak Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies were called around 6:30 a.m. Friday to the intersection of U.S. 12 and Halfway Road in response to a two-vehicle collision. Investigators said Rebecca Smallwood, 36, was driving west and began slowing …

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Branch County sees large increase in COVID-19 cases

Here’s the latest COVID-19 update from the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency. The agency said Branch County is seeing the largest increase, with 76 new cases during the one-week period ending July 26. Meanwhile, Hillsdale County had 17 new cases and St. Joseph County had 13 new cases. As a result of its increase, Branch County has been labeled “high …

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County unemployment rate down

June’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County decreased by one-tenth of a percent from May. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget was released last week. It showed St. Joseph County’s unemployment rate fell from 5.6 percent in May to 5.5 percent in June. The rate was 10.7 percent a year earlier, as June …

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Son arrested in Kalamazoo in the death of his father, 82

A man wanted in the killing of his 82-year-old father, whose body was found last week in his Kalamazoo-area home, was arrested Saturday. Scott Sterffy, age 56, was arrested in Kalamazoo and is expected to be arraigned Monday, the Portage Department of Public Safety said in a news release. Steffry was wanted on an open murder charge and a charge …

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