News

A warrant has been issued for St. Joseph County Prosecuting Attorney John McDonough, who was arrested earlier this year on drunken driving charges. The St. Joseph County District Court confirmed Monday a warrant was issued for McDonough. It alleged he violated terms of his bond conditions. Details of the violations, however, were not released. Authorities said McDonough turned himself in …

St. Joseph County commissioners agreed to accept a federal grant that could net nearly $220,000. During their board of commissioners meeting Tuesday, the five-member board staged a public hearing regarding CARES Act reimbursement funding for COVID-19-related expenses. A motion to accept the grant money followed and was passed. County grant writer James Hissong said the Community Development Block Grant funding …

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is encouraging local officials in counties affected by Eastern Equine Encephalitis to consider postponing, rescheduling or cancelling outdoor activities occurring at or after dusk, particularly activities that involve children. This would include events such as late-evening sports practices or games, and applies until the first hard frost of the year. As of …

Five people were reappointed Tuesday to the St. Joseph County Solid Waste Management Planning Committee. They are: Three Rivers-area residents Eric Shafer and Aaron Cullifer, Lee Zimmerman of Three Rivers, Mendon Township’s Robert Robinson and commissioner Kathy Pangle, a Mendon resident. Their terms are for a two-year period. Meanwhile, the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners reappointed six people to …

Here’s the weekly Michigan Department of Transportation update regarding the reconstruction of U.S. 131 in Three Rivers. Project officials said two-way traffic will continue to use the newly constructed northbound lane of the highway. Meanwhile, some utility relocation work remains ongoing throughout the project. In addition, paving of the multi-use path is continuing and being performed as time permits. MDOT …

Centreville High School was one of 84 schools in the country to receive a grant to assist with the instruction of personal finance. Superintendent Stephanie Lemmer said the district’s Curriculum Council and its school board voted in May to make Personal Finance a requirement for all students, starting with the class of 2023. In recognition of the district’s new requirement, …

State Rep. Aaron Miller has weighed in on the issue of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s executive order that high school athletes must wear a mouth and nose covering during competition. Miller said requiring masks for competing athletes across the board is senseless. He questioned what data supports the notion that masks are necessary in athletics, especially to protect those competing in …

A county on Monday ordered a two-week quarantine for 23 fraternities and sororities and seven large rental houses near Michigan State University following a coronavirus outbreak that a local health official said was turning into a “crisis.” The quarantine, which is mandatory, means students or others living in the buildings cannot leave except for medical care or necessities that cannot …

St. Joseph County’s commissioners appear ready to support what is likely to be the final early-retirement incentive they offer county employees. During Wednesday’s executive committee meeting, county administrator Teresa Doehring clarified the offer is actually an enhanced-retirement incentive. She said the county has offered at least three such retirement incentives over the past three years. The goal is to help …

Superintendents from six St. Joseph County-based school districts have signed a letter to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer regarding the mandate that athletes use masks while engaged in competition. The superintendents – from Sturgis, Three Rivers, White Pigeon, Centreville, Mendon and Constantine – said Whitmer took a positive step forward last week by loosening mask requirements for student athletes who play tennis, …