News

Here’s an election-related bit of information from St. Joseph County Clerk Lindsay Oswald. She said there have been a number of inquiries about straight-ticket votes in advance of the Nov. 3 general election. She said in straight-ticket voting, voters may vote in the straight-party race and select the party of their choosing – this will award votes up to the …

August’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County was 1.1 percent lower than the figure from the previous month. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed the county’s drop in unemployment went from 9.3 percent in July to 8.2 percent. Allegan County featured the lowest unemployment rate in the region in August, at 6.4 …

Members of the St. Joseph County Grange Fair Board acknowledged the source of a $10,000 grant Thursday. Mike Boring, sales manager of the Anderson Foundation, met up with fair board members at the Centreville property for a photo opportunity. Boring, on behalf of the Anderson Family Foundation, was responsible for providing the money to the board. Matched by a $10,000 …

Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic hit a bright note Thursday, as United Airlines returned to the airport. Airport director Craig Williams said United had pulled its schedule for July, August and September to navigate the impact of COVID-19 on flight operations. United will operate one or two flights daily to and from its Chicago O’Hare gateway, …

Michigan Department of Transportation has announced crews will begin the final stage of U.S. 131 reconstruction in Three Rivers starting today. Traffic will be in the right lanes of northbound and southbound U.S. 131 while construction is completed on the median and Michigan-left turn lanes. Construction is expected to be completed by Nov. 15. Until then, left turns will be …

A Sturgis man died from multiple gunshot wounds following an incident Friday in Sturgis. Police said officers were called around 5:30 p.m. to a residence in the 500 block of North Prospect Street in response to a shooting. According to authorities, officers found a 33-year-old man who had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to Sturgis Hospital, where he …

A 1945 law repeatedly used by Gov. Gretcher Whitmer to respond to the coronavirus pandemic was declared unconstitutional Friday by the Michigan Supreme Court, a striking decision that puts months of restrictions in jeopardy while COVID-19 continues to flare up around the state. The opinion is an extraordinary development in a monthslong conflict between Whitmer, a Democrat, and Republicans who …

St. Joseph County commissioners are expected to decide next week whether to submit a letter to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer regarding the employment of county prosecutor John McDonough. During their executive committee meeting Wednesday, commissioners debated whether to submit the letter in an effort to remove McDonough from the post he has held for nearly 12 years. Board chairman Dennis Allen …

A grocery chain with a presence in Sturgis for nearly 100 years is closing next month. Kroger’s Central Division announced Wednesday it will close the Sturgis store. Financial performance was cited as the key factor in the company’s decision. According to a company media release, the Sturgis location has not operated profitably for a number of years and the company’s …

St. Joseph County Commission On Aging will have to search for a new director, as Tim Stoll has been hired as chief executive officer at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. Following an extensive search, Stoll was the clear choice for the position, according to members of the search committee. The 48-year-old Stoll, a Colon High School graduate and Sherwood resident, …