News

Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport reports continued growth in passenger traffic during the month of May. A year-by-year comparison shows growth of 788 percent compared to the COVID-decimated travel month of May 2020. Craig Williams, airport director, said the airport handled 14,088 passengers last month, up from 12,370 the month before. However, Williams said, the May 2021 count is down more …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency and Branch District Library have partnered to bring COVID vaccine clinics to patrons using the agency’s mobile clinic. The mobile operation will be available at the Branch District Library’s Quincy site noon to 3 p.m. Tuesday, and noon to 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Coldwater branch. In addition, it will partner with the Bronson …

A Dowagiac man was injured after he suffered a medical condition and the car he was driving went off the road in Cass County’s Newberg Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly after 9 a.m. Thursday near the intersection of M-60 and McKinley Street in the community of Jones. Investigators said Fredrick Reed, 69, was driving east on …

Sheriff Richard J Behnke reports that on Sunday at approximately 1:37 p.m., deputies responded to a single crop duster aircraft crash around the 27000 block of Indian Lane near Cassopolis. The pilot, 68-year-old Ralph Edward Lutes of Shipshewana, was transported to Elkhart General Hospital for treatment of unknown injuries sustained in the crash. The plane was crop dusting a nearby …

A store in Mottville Township was robbed by an armed suspect earlier this week. Michigan State Police troopers were called at 9:30 p.m. Monday to investigate an incident at Dollar General, on U.S. 12 in Mottville. The suspect is described to be a white male, approximately 6’3” with a heavy-set build. The suspect vehicle is a Trailblazer, tan and gold …

A Sturgis woman was airlifted from the scene of a two-vehicle collision earlier this week in Florence Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies were called around 3 p.m. Wednesday to the intersection of Lutz and Dickinson roads. Investigators said a Ford pickup driven southbound on Lutz Rd by the 58-year-old Sturgis woman was struck by a Chevrolet SUV driven west …

Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners discussed a few matters of note Tuesday. Chairman Dennis Allen said the county’s Commission on Aging is hosting karaoke at its Sturgis location 5 to 8 p.m. Monday. The Three Rivers site will host karaoke from 5 to 8 p.m. June 29. In addition, commissioner Ken Malone said the county’s parks …

Michigan will lift all indoor capacity restrictions and mask requirements next week, 10 days sooner than planned amid vaccinations and plummeting COVID-19 infections, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Thursday. The state’s main coronavirus order will expire at the end of Monday instead of July 1, bringing an end to mandatory 50% occupancy limits inside restaurants, gyms and entertainment venues and at …

With the initial portion of $12 million in hand from the American Rescue Plan, St. Joseph County officials will have to decide where to put the money. County finance director Angie Steinman told commissioners during their meeting Tuesday she plans to meet with auditors and discuss the short-term allocation and long-term designation for $5.9 million the county received last month. …

St. Joseph County commissioners approved a request from Undersheriff Jason Bingaman regarding an exception to the county’s hiring freeze. During Tuesday’s commission meeting, Bingaman explained that a full-time deputy left the facility to take a security-related role at the courthouse. With that, Bingaman said the $70,000 position is already in the county’s 2021 fiscal year budget and his request was …