News

In the wake of early-retirement incentives and other personnel moves, St. Joseph County officials now have a clearer picture of potential staffing needs in 2021. The issue garnered significant discussion during the county board’s executive committee meeting Wednesday. County administrator Teresa Doehring said about 25 employees were eligible for the early-retirement incentive and 10 took advantage of the opportunity. With …

The village of Burr Oak is looking to fill two vacant seats on the village council that went unfilled during the November election. Municipal officials said a resident of Burr Oak may place an application with the village office in order to be considered for one of the vacancies. The village tentatively plans to fill the seats during its Jan. …

St. Joseph County commissioners recommended appointing Sarah Apwisch to the county’s Transportation Authority Board. The matter was brought up at Wednesday’s executive committee meeting. Other loose ends addressed at the meeting include the recommended re-appointments of Rick Shaffer, Dan Czajkowski and Ken Malone to the county’s Parks and Recreation Commission. Commissioners also agreed to continue meeting via Zoom as long …

Michigan State Police, in cooperation with Salvation Army, collected new toys and non-perishable food items Saturday at Walmart in Sturgis, Three Rivers, and Coldwater for the “Stuff a Blue Goose” initiative to benefit area families and children during the Christmas season. Salvation Army captain Sharyn Tennyson said the effort resulted in nearly 2,500 units of food and almost 1,200 toys. …

As part of Michigan Department of Transportation’s commitment to improving safety of Michigan’s transportation system, MDOT has announced recipients for the fifth annual Local Grade Crossing Surface Program. Locations include four in St. Joseph County and two in Cass County. Selected on a competitive basis, 37 projects were awarded a share of $3 million to fund highway-railroad grade crossing surface …

Members of the Constantine Village Council this week received a draft of a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System discharge permit, the first step toward construction of a new wastewater treatment plant. Village manager Mark Honeysett said engineers had to determine by Dec. 15 if the permit needed to be modified. During Monday’s meeting, Honeysett said the timeline for the project …

Former Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy board chair Dave Coleman has offered to match dollar-for-dollar every donation made to the agency’s year-end appeal, up to $40,000. There are several ways to help reach this goal, including making a one-time donation, setting up a recurring donation or giving a gift membership. As part of the agency’s year-end appeal and the matching challenge, …

A Colon man died over the weekend after the semi he was driving crashed and rolled in the median of the Indiana Toll Road. Indiana State Police said 61-year-old Steve Downs was driving a semi tractor-trailer hauling milk. His vehicle left the roadway Saturday night in Steuben County. Investigators said about 4,000 gallons of milk and approximately 100 gallons of …

Three Rivers Community Schools Superintendent Ron Moag said the district will continue the virtual-learning format through the end of the semester. The decision, announced last week, means the current format will remain in place to Jan. 22. In-person learning districtwide was suspended Nov. 23 per Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s order. Moag said the five-day average of new COVID-19 cases countywide warranted …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday announced the original three-week pause, imposed just before Thanksgiving, has been extended until Dec. 20. The continuation of the epidemic order keeps bars and restaurants closed for dine-in service, but can remain open for outdoor dining, carry-out and delivery. Gyms are open for individual exercise, with mandatory masking and additional strict safety measures. Casinos, movie …