News

State Rep. Steve Carra recently introduced a resolution calling for services to remain accessible to the public at Michigan Secretary of State offices. Carra said the appointment system does not work for everyone, especially someone who needs services on short notice. He added that if secretary of state offices do not resume a walk-in option, then the appointment system should …

St. Joseph County commissioners plan to interview candidates interested in serving on the advisory board that oversees Commission on Aging. During the county commission’s executive committee meeting Wednesday, county administrator Teresa Doehring said five of the six have expressed interest in returning for another term. She has not heard from the sixth person. Terms of six current board members expire …

A motorcycle was stolen from a Lockport Township residence Thursday. State police troopers were called to the 18000 block of M-60, where a 2002 Yamaha YZFR1 motorcycle, black in color, was reported stolen. It was taken from a driveway shortly after midnight, authorities said.

A Marcellus man is in critical condition after he was shot by his father earlier this week. Cass County Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday to the 11000 block of Van Buren Street in Marcellus Township. Investigators said Russell Gonder, 55, and his 29-year-old son, Cody, were involved in a fight. During the confrontation, the …

Constantine Public Schools officials are considering a limit on the number of school-of-choice students it will accept. During the district’s board of education meeting this week, superintendent Jim Wisely said there has been a tendency for some students to enroll and attend school in Constantine, only to leave mid-year. In some cases, those same students return to Constantine still within …

Centreville Board of Education members agreed this week to follow through on the installation of a new roof over Centreville High School’s gymnasium and an adjacent hallway. The board agreed to hire Morrow Roofing of Mason for $230,000 to complete the task. Morrow was the high bidder, as Lyster Exteriors came in around $210,000 and Diversified Services at about $165,000. …

A longtime St. Joseph County Grange Fair employee has settled into a newly created position. Tom Miller, a fair board member and past president, said the decision was made to create a position called fair venue coordinator. The $45,000-a-year job was given to Missi Tefft, who has been with the fair for more than three decades, he said. He said …

Officials with Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy are encouraging the public to participate in a challenge that they hope will put a dent in the reproduction of two invasive species. Garlic Mustard and Dame’s Rocket, both non-native species, are the target of the latest campaign. Anyone who fills three garbage bags with either of the weed will earn a complimentary, one-year …

The St. Joseph County United Way, in conjunction with the Sturgis Area Community Foundation and Three Rivers Area Community Foundation, is hosting a summer kick-off event next month. The gathering will help celebrate the work being done by non-profit organizations throughout St. Joseph County. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about current and upcoming resources available to their organization …

The Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport is reporting continued growth in passenger traffic for April 2021, which increased by more than 1,200 percent from what was reported in April 2020. The airport saw 12,370 total passengers in April 2021, up from 9,762 in March 2021 and up from April 2020’s 881passengers. For April 2021, AZO passenger checkpoint traffic is trailing the …