News

St. Joseph County officials formally said goodbye and good luck to their soon-to-be-retired finance director. A resolution honoring Judie Ratering was read and subsequently approved by the five-member board of commissioners during their meeting Tuesday. Read by commissioner Ken Malone, the resolution acknowledged Ratering’s nine years as finance director and 11 years previously as a treasurer’s department employee. Board chairman …

Members of the Sturgis American Legion Post 73 took time over Thanksgiving to assemble meals for the Sturgis community. Legion volunteers put together and handed out almost 100 single-serving Thanksgiving meals that included turkey, potatoes, gravy, a vegetable and stuffing. Members spent Tuesday through Thursday shopping, cooking, carving and serving. Legion members who assisted were Harold Melvin, Tom Clewley, Jim …

St. Joseph County commissioners this week approved several nominations and appointments to various boards and commissions in advance of new terms starting in 2021. They are: *Animal Control Advisory Board: Lori Lammon, Suzanne Lee and Dan Czajkowski, three-year terms. *Board of Public Works: Robert Horton, three years. *Building Authority Board: Kathy Humphreys, term expires in August. *Central Dispatch Policy Board: …

Here’s a reminder that Covered Bridge Healthcare is offering free flu shots at its Centreville office, 658 E. Main St. The agency said drop-ins are welcome but an advance phone call would be preferred. No insurance is required and for people who do have insurance, it will not be billed. Covered Bridge Healthcare can be reached at 467-3228.

Bars and restaurants lost a challenge Wednesday to Michigan’s ban on indoor dining and immediately warned about business failures and deep job losses if the restriction linked to the coronavirus is extended past next week. U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney turned down a request for an injunction with seven days left in the three-week ban. It was ordered in mid-November …

President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer urged Michigan Republican activists on Wednesday to pressure, even threaten, the GOP-controlled Legislature to “step up” and award the state’s 16 electoral votes to Trump despite Democrat Joe Biden’s 154,000-vote victory. Rudy Giuliani made baseless claims of “massive fraud, all over the country,” before testifying to a Republican-led legislative committee. Just a day before, Attorney …

Authorities are looking for someone who boldly climbed to the top of a Mackinac Bridge tower, took pictures and later posted them on social media. The incident apparently occurred in early November. Alarms were triggered hours apart, but no one was caught, the Mackinac Bridge Authority said Wednesday. The agency’s executive secretary, Kim Nowack, called it “inexcusably reckless.” “It is …

St. Joseph County United Way recently presented $18,000 to the local Children’s Trauma Assessment Group. The donation will help CTAG with its mission of assisting children in foster care and in transition with trauma. Kelly Hostelter, United Way executive director, said an anonymous donor contributed $10,000. Meanwhile, a Mendon donor has contributed funds to help Mendon-area children, translating to $2,000 …

Recent promotions of Sturgis Public Safety Director Ryan Banaszak and deputy director of public safety Andrew Strudwick were acknowledged last week through a pinning ceremony at the Sturgis City Commission meeting. The wives of Banaszak and Strudwick pinned the badges to their spouse’s dress uniforms. City manager Mike Hughes said Sturgis is fortunate to have Banaszak and Strudwick as leaders …

A man involved in a Nov. 10 hours-long standoff faces felony charges, following arraignment in St. Joseph County District Court. William Michael Wright, 35, was charged with first-degree home invasion, according to jail records, as well as receiving and concealing stolen property. Wright entered a burned-out house on Findley Road near M-66 at 11:30 a.m. Police were notified and, after …