News

Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education members have started the process of filling Scott Swihart’s vacant seat on the board. Swihart resigned from the board of education because of an increase in out-of-town work responsibilities. Swihart’s resignation was effective Dec. 10. The vacant position that the appointed person will fill ends Dec. 31, 2022. The deadline for anyone interested in …

Michigan’s health and education departments on Thursday urged schools to postpone or make virtual large gatherings, including sporting events, if they are not “essential” — as COVID-19 cases spike across the state. The recommendation, intended to keep schools open when classes resume after the winter break next week, was included in a letter to K-12 superintendents and charter school directors. Large events …

Glen Oaks Community College Board of Trustees has approved a capital-outlay project three years in the making. The board’s vote earlier this month was the final step to set the project in motion. The college’s $7.3 million capital outlay project includes renovation to the north side of campus, including E.J. Shaheen Library, the art studio, classrooms, restrooms and foyer. Also …

Back-to-back storms that devastated portions of St. Joseph County was deemed the top local news story of 2021, according to the Sturgis Journal. Runner-up was a virtual court hearing that went viral. The case garnered national attention, as the defendant was found to be in the same residence of the suspect accusing him of physical abuse. Rounding out the top …

The village of Colon is expecting to see a number of infrastructure and ordinance improvements in the new year. Sharon Craun, village president, said one project includes the installation of two new lift stations, and upgrades to the municipality lagoons and inlet structures. She said the village was fortunate to have been chosen for the Michigan State University Sustainable Built …

Two options for design work at and around the forthcoming splash pad at Thurston Woods Park next year were recently presented to members of the Sturgis City Commission. Eventually, one of the options was selected with further examination set to take place in 2022. City staff has been working with Abonmarche Consultants Inc. on the site plan design for the …

Michigan on Wednesday recorded all-time high COVID-19 case counts, reporting nearly 13,000 a day — almost a third more than the peak set more than a year ago. The two-day average was 12,929, some 3,100 infections above the nearly 9,800 from a single day in November 2020. The explosive growth came as the state already grapples with a fourth, months-long …

Three people, including a 5-year-old boy, were injured in a two-vehicle collision Monday in Cass County’s Porter Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 4:30 p.m. to the intersection of U.S. 12 and Baldwin Prairie Road. Investigators said 30-year-old Crystal Adkins of White Pigeon was driving east on U.S. 12 when a southbound vehicle on Baldwin Prairie Road, …

Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has announced a change in its schedule for COVID-19 testing locally. The free testing will be held 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday at its Marshall Road location in Coldwater and 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday at its Three Rivers site on Hill Street. Event organizers said the tests are recommended for people who …

Michigan reported fewer coronavirus cases in the week ending Sunday, adding more than 31,000 new cases. That’s down 32 percent from the previous week’s tally of more than 46,500 new cases of the virus that causes COVID-19. St. Joseph County reported 103 cases and five deaths in the latest week. A week earlier, it had reported 227 cases and 10 …