News

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 …

Four juveniles were taken into custody in relation to the weekend arson of the gazebo at Railroad Park in Burr Oak. State police said the incident occurred around 1 p.m. Saturday. Troopers were able to identify the suspects after viewing a video the suspects posted on a social media site. The gazebo appears to be a total loss. The matter …

A dedicated volunteer at a popular St. Joseph County Grange Fair attraction was the recipient of special recognition last week. Selma Comstock, a lifelong Leonidas-area resident, was honored Wednesday by members of the fair board for her 15-year commitment to the “Miracle of Birth” tent at the annual fair. Comstock, 79, is retiring from the fair after representing the tent …

The Michigan Sheriff’s Association is scheduled to provide Victim Advocate Training this weekend at the Fabius-Park Township Fire Department. Victim Services Units are volunteer components of local sheriff’s offices and are trained through the Michigan Sheriff’s Association to provide compassionate support in times of extreme stress, such as the loss of a loved one or being the victim of a …

Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce has announced details related to “Christmas Around Town” 2020. The annual celebration will begin at 6 p.m. Nov. 27 with the tree-lighting ceremony in downtown Three Rivers. The following day, Nov. 28, is Small-Business Saturday and the city will celebrate with Santa Claus coming to town, a Storybook Stroll, carriage rides and Christmas balloon …

Midwest Energy & Communications plans to thank local veterans and their families by providing a free Thanksgiving meal. The offer will take place 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 17. Packaged meals will be served via curbside pickup at MEC’s headquarters parking lot, at 60590 Decatur Road in Cassopolis. Patty Nowlin, vice president of corporate communications at MEC, said the …

Michigan State Police has awarded St. Joseph County an $80,000 grant. Secured in partnership with Covered Bridge Health, the funding will go toward jail-diversion services. The grant was officially accepted by commissioners Tuesday. County grant writer James Hissong said the grant’s intent is to continue some services that Community Mental Health had been piloting in the jail. Its grant was …