News

St. Joseph County undersheriff Jason Bingaman last week explained details of a service-agreement renewal with Canteen Food Service. During Wednesday’s St. Joseph County Executive Committee meeting, Bingaman said the company provides food for jail inmates and the proposed agreement is nearly identical to the most recent contract. He said per-meal cost is $1.61 if the jail population is 114 or …

A few personnel matters were addressed this week by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. During their executive committee meeting Wednesday, commissioners first heard from Friend of the Court Bill Thistlethwaite. He reminded them of his impending March retirement to cap off a career that spanned more than 30 years in St. Joseph County. Thistlethwaite said he and deputy …

Members of the Constantine Fire Department responded Wednesday to a structure fire in the 600 block of East Water Street. The fire was reported to St. Joseph County Central Dispatch shortly after 10:30 p.m. Chief Mike Haydon said the homeowner smelled smoke and found the back porch on fire. He attempted to put out the blaze with a garden hose …

Two high-traffic, public places in St. Joseph County are closed temporarily. Sturgis District Library announced Thursday it is closed after an employee tested positive for COVID-19. The library reported it is working with local health officials, and conducting appropriate cleaning and disinfecting. Reopening date of the library is not immediately known. The library’s doors were locked Thursday, with a sign …

After closing the six-game regular season with it first victory of 2020, Three Rivers High School’s varsity football team begins its playoff march tonight. The Wildcats topped Allegan, 27-to-6, a week ago to finish the season 1-and-5. Three Rivers will travel to Hastings to take on the Saxons. Hastings has a 5-and-1 record and is coming off a 37-to-18 victory …

St. Joseph County commissioners are relying on the services of architecture firm TowerPinkster to help with the task of renovating the county’s courts building and, county officials hope, improving conditions of the 46-year-old structure. During Wednesday’s executive committee meeting, county administrator Teresa Doehring provided an update. She said interest rates are around 2 percent, an attractive figure that Doehring said …

Michigan State Police troopers responded to a report of several vehicle break-ins earlier this week in Branch County’s Coldwater Township. The incidents occurred in the 200 block of Northlake Drive and the 500 block of Pinehill Shores between 10 p.m. Monday and 8 a.m. Tuesday. Several items of value were taken from multiple vehicles, authorities said.

St. Joseph County school superintendents and Intermediate School District officials have expressed concern about the rising COVID-19 cases locally and what that could mean for area schools in coming weeks. In St. Joseph County, Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency said Tuesday the number of cumulative cases has surpassed the 1,000 mark and the number of deaths has risen this week …

The St. Joseph County United Way is spearheading its annual coat drive. The Centreville-based agency is collecting new and gently used winter coats in all sizes for local distribution. Furthermore, it welcomes donations of hats, boots and gloves, as well. Monetary donations are accepted and will go toward the purchase of winter coats. The drop-off site is at 662 E. …

The National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom has accepted the Underground Railroad Driving Tour of Cass County. The tour, produced by the Underground Railroad Society of Cass County, is one of more than 650 sites, programs and facilities within the network. It joins 12 new listings from the 40th round of “Network to Freedom” applications, representing sites …