News

Shipshewana market to be featured on TV show

How2Media, producers of the television show “World’s Greatest! …” announced it has selected Shipshewana Trading Place & Flea Market to be a part of the television series. Home of the Midwest’s largest flea market, Shipshewana’s market features 700 vendor spaces over a 40-acre area. It also includes weekly antique, and livestock and horse auctions. As part of the show, How2Media …

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Local schools continue in football playoffs

All three local high school football teams involved in the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s regional finals were victorious Saturday. Now, Centreville, Constantine and Schoolcraft are one win from playing for a state title. Centreville beat Sand Creek, 8-to-0. The Bulldogs will travel to Oakland County to take on Clarkston Everest Collegiate in a Division 8 contest. Meanwhile, in Division …

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Whitmer: Schools should offer in-person classes by March 1

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is strongly encouraging all K-12 schools in Michigan to reopen for in-person instruction by March 1. She stopped short of requiring it Friday, but said face-to-face classes should at least be an option. Many schools, including in large districts such as Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids, have been fully remote during the coronavirus pandemic. Teachers are among …

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Vehicle crashes in to gas station

Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a hit-and-run, property-damage incident that occurred earlier this week in Park Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said authorities were called at 1:15 p.m. Monday to the 20000 block of M-60, where a vehicle crashed into a gas station. The driver of the vehicle assaulted a clerk after being confronted about the crash. The suspect then drove from …

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Sturgis Chamber executive director set to retire

Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cathi Garn Abbs is a week away from retirement. Abbs, who has overseen the chamber for more than 18 years, will retire Jan. 15 and is to be replaced by Michael Wilson. Abbs said she is impressed by the high number of members for a community the size of Sturgis. She expressed her …

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County commission approves hiring requests

St. Joseph County Prosecutor David Marvin appeared Tuesday before county officials with hiring requests. Two days into his new job, Marvin was successful in his appeal to hire Gary Gabry as chief assistant prosecutor. As a result, Josh Robare will pivot to the role of assistant prosecutor, joining Casey Johnson. A third assistant prosecutor position remains vacant, though Marvin indicated …

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County commission met for first meeting of the year

St. Joseph County commissioners addressed a number of annual housekeeping items during their inaugural meeting of 2021 Tuesday. The five-member panel agreed to keep their twice-a-month meetings at 5 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Executive committee meetings will also stay unchanged: 8 a.m. the Wednesday before a commission meeting. Also Tuesday, commissioners approved their annual appropriations. …

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COVID-19 vaccine will begin to be administered

The initial 200 doses of COVID-19 vaccine received by the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency are expected to be administered within the next week. Health officer Rebecca Burns told the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday there is a demand for more Moderna vaccine to satisfy the number of people in the highest category of need in the …

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Three Rivers city hall remains closed

Three Rivers municipal officials have announced city hall will remain closed to the public, and employees will continue to work remotely when possible. City officials will remain available by phone or email weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Meanwhile, residents are encouraged to mail payments or use one of the drop boxes at city hall. Bills can also be …

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Michigan to begin vaccinating people 65 and older, teachers

Michigan will begin issuing coronavirus vaccines to seniors and front-line workers such as teachers and police next week, state officials said Wednesday while announcing accelerated access for people who are at least 65 years old. The state had planned to next immunize people 75 and older and essential workers including first responders, prison guards and child care providers. But residents …

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