News

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 …

A newly formed organization is designed to support foster care in the county and surrounding area, according to its executive director, Jeff Jennings. The organization is called Support for Hope and was created by a team of individuals wishing to do more to help support and assist children and families. The focus is to act as a facilitator to connect …

Court cases before St. Joseph County District Court Judge Jeff Middleton have returned to a livestream following a misunderstanding with state officials. The issue dates to March, when Middleton presided over a case that boosted his popularity on YouTube. The case involved a Sturgis defendant at the center of a domestic violence hearing. During the Zoom proceeding, attorney Deborah Davis …

National Honors Society members at Mendon High School last week continued a tradition that took a break last year. High school principal Robert Kretschman said the district has had a long-standing tradition in the annual community cleanup. Kretschman said the district had 21 kids downtown and about a dozen who worked around the district’s schools. Kretschman, who is finishing his …

The Parent Advisory Council of St. Joseph County has announced its annual winners for school personnel recognized for various categories. PAC is a group of parents whose children receive special education services in diagnostic categories in districts throughout the county. This year’s winners were: Erin Speer of the St. Joseph County Intermediate School District for ancillary staff person of the …

A longtime performer at Abbott’s Magic Get-Together has opened the newest magic shop in Colon, and its first of what will be weekly stage shows takes place Saturday. Duane Laflin, who has enjoyed long-running shows in Branson, Mo., and Pigeon Forge, Tenn., recently finished renovating two-thirds of the former Magic City Hardware, turning it into a shop and stage/performance area. …

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday loosened COVID-19 workplace safety rules so fully vaccinated employees can go without a mask and disregard distancing requirements. Industry-specific regulations were rescinded. Restaurants and bars, for instance, can reopen pool tables and dance floors. Cleaning standards were softened. As expected, the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration also lifted a requirement that employers prohibit …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has announced it will provide no-cost, weekly curbside COVID-19 testing through the end of June at locations in each of the three counties it represents. Health officer Rebecca Burns said tests are offered to residents as an opportunity to receive rapid results, typically within 30 minutes. Testing is 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Fridays …