News

A Marcellus man was injured after suffering a medical condition while driving Tuesday in Cass County’s Volinia Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 12:35 p.m. to an area of Marcellus Highway west of Decatur Road. Authorities said Robert Stratton, 61, suffered a medical situation, resulting in his vehicle leaving the roadway and striking a tree. Stratton was …

St. Joseph County is expected to hold a public hearing as part of a process related to redevelopment of a former bar property in Burr Oak Township. During their executive committee meeting Tuesday, St. Joseph County commissioners heard a report from Cathy Knapp, a partner with Southwest Michigan First. She explained details of a Brownfield project at the southwest corner …

Michigan has posted a record number of daily confirmed coronavirus cases, near 6,500. And also on Tuesday the state reported its deadliest day in 6 months, with 59 deaths in 24 hours. COVID-19, which subsided over the summer after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer imposed sweeping stay-at-home and other restrictions, has rebounded this fall. The latest average positivity rate in Michigan is …

A St. Joseph County school district announced Tuesday it is extending the duration of its virtual learning through Thanksgiving break. Centreville Superintendent Stephanie Lemmer said she consulted with health department officials and determined the smartest choice is to remain virtual learning until Nov. 30. The district previously was scheduled to conduct virtual learning through the end of next week. Centreville …

Michigan Department of Transportation officials said they expect to finish the two-year, $20 million U.S. 131 project in Three Rivers this week. Though the anticipated completion date has long been Nov. 15, MDOT’s Nick Schirripa said he expects the project to be officially completed any day this week. He said by and large, the project is done, though inspectors have …

Here’s a reminder that Covered Bridge Healthcare is offering COVID-19 testing free of charge for people with symptoms. An appointment is required and can be done by phoning 257-0463. Rapid testing and confirmation is available.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Environmental Stewardship Division recently awarded 95 grants totaling $6.5 million to 57 Michigan Conservation Districts – including two locally – for fiscal year 2021. The funding will help implement voluntary conservation programs on private lands. The agency awarded $76,000 to Branch Conservation District and $71,000 to Cass Conservation District. Conservation districts are …

Glen Oaks Community College officials have announced the majority of its classes will be taught online for the balance of the semester. President David Devier said the circumstances are identical to the same measure the college employed back in March, when an uptick in COVID-19 cases prompted the precautionary measure. Devier said the semester started positively with numerous protocols in …

Damon Knapp has been promoted to administrative lieutenant at the Sturgis Police Department. Knapp has worked for the department 18 years and has served in a variety of roles, including patrol officer, school-resource officer, field training officer and road patrol sergeant. He also has worked as an on-call firefighter. Knapp has a bachelor’s degree from Siena Heights University and a …

Michigan is rolling out statewide a voluntary, free coronavirus app that notifies users if they have potentially been in close contact with infected people. Monday’s launch comes weeks after the state began piloting the technology in Ingham County, including at Michigan State University. State Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon is encouraging all Michiganders to download the app onto …