News

Here’s an update on St. Joseph County’s return rate regarding the 2020 U.S. Census. Laura Brott, collaborative coordinator for the St. Joseph County Human Services Commission, said 67.3 percent of households in St. Joseph County have responded. The deadline for when households can respond to the Census has been shortened to Sept. 30. Brott urges St. Joseph County residents to …

Here’s the weekly U.S. 131 construction update from Michigan Department of Transportation. Agency officials plan to implement Stage 6 traffic pattern this week. That means two-way traffic will use the newly created northbound lane while work continues on rebuilding the southbound lane. Some utility relocation work will remain ongoing throughout the project. Meanwhile, Millard Road will continue to be closed …

Sturgis electric customers will see a reduction in their bills effective Oct. 1, following approval of electric rates by the city commission last week. Municipal officials said the city has realized savings by changing its power supply from AEP to the Michigan Public Power Association, and wanted to pass the reduction on to its customers. Under the new rate design, …

July’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County was 3.7 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 13 percent in June to 9.3 percent. Allegan County featured the lowest unemployment rate in the region in July, at 7.6 …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating the theft of a 2019 Cargo Express, sixteen-foot, dual axle trailer. The trailer is black and has wood-over-metal racks welded to the top of it. The trailer was taken during the overnight hours Tuesday and Wednesday last week from the 13000 block of Miller Road in Constantine Township.

Michigan on Friday crossed the threshold of 100,000 cases of the coronavirus confirmed since March. Deaths related to COVID-19 reached 6,446 after six more were recorded, the state health department said. Most people usually recover from the virus. It can cause mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks. But for some, …

Sturgis Public Safety Director Geoff Smith resigned Wednesday evening following a city commission closed session. After a return to open meeting, commissioners approved a resignation and separation agreement with Smith. The agreement allows Smith to purchase one year of service credit following his resignation. With the service credit purchase, Smith will be able to receive a pension benefit at what …

It appears a request for help from St. Joseph County Clerk Lindsay Oswald will be put on hold by county commissioners. During Wednesday’s executive committee meeting, Oswald asked commissioners to consider allowing her to hire a deputy clerk. She acknowledged the poor timing of the request, but the need for help in the clerk’s office is significant, she said. Oswald …

A Three Rivers-area business has established a permanent link to a component of Armstrong Park. Representatives from R&R Aluminum Trailers were joined by park staff and AYSO members Wednesday at the 77-acre park to recognize R&R owners Robert Brewer and Rick Daniels. The two made a $40,000 donation to sponsor one of three football fields at the multi-sport complex, located …

A recount conducted Thursday confirmed results of the Aug. 4 election for Fabius Township supervisor. St. Joseph County Clerk Lindsay Oswald said the two-hour, hand-count process verified Ken Linn earned 391 votes, while 388 votes were cast for Dan Wilkins. The recount was conducted at the request of Wilkins, who was required to pay a $25 fee for the procedure. …