News

More than $2 million will be directed to local roads through the St. Joseph County Road Commission’s allocation fund. In a collaboration between the road commission and 12 of the county’s 16 townships, the road commission has adopted a plan in which it will contribute 50 percent of costs toward improvements such as chip-seal and hot-mix asphalt. The participating township …

The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed Sturgis Public Schools to adjust daily start and end times for the upcoming school year. Classes at Sturgis High School will begin at 7:30 a.m. and dismiss at 1:55 p.m. on full days, and dismiss at 10:50 on half-days. Sturgis Middle School will start classes at 7:45 a. m. and end at 2:10 p.m. Half-days …

St. Joseph Animal Control is scrambling to find medical assistance and temporary placement after more than 140 cats were taken from a Park Township residence last week. Zoning administrator Doug Kuhlman said he and other officials recovered the cats Tuesday, one day after Park Township officials received a tip about the situation. Two cats had to be euthanized immediately. Health …

Here’s the weekly update from Michigan Department of Transportation regarding its reconstruction of U.S. 131 in Three Rivers. Barring unforeseen circumstances, Coon Hollow Road was expected to reopen Saturday. Meanwhile, Broadway Road remains closed to eastbound traffic; motorists are asked to follow the posted detour route. Also, Broadway Road construction moves to the north side this week, MDOT officials said. …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident in Branch County. Troopers were called Wednesday to S&D Landscaping on Behnke Road in Coldwater in response to an activated alarm. Troopers arrived to find entry by a suspect had been made into the business. The suspect was captured on surveillance video attempting to steal a motorcycle. The suspect fled the …

Officials with the St. Joseph County Road Commission said a major road project in Colon Township is complete. A roundabout at the intersection of Colon and Farrand roads has opened after work started a few months ago. John Lindsey, road commission managing director, said the roundabout has a 20-foot driving lane to accommodate agricultural equipment and a 12-foot truck apron. …

Two golf outings, both fundraisers for their respective organizations, have been announced. The St. Joseph County Conservation District will hold its annual scramble Sept. 12 at Green Valley Golf Course in Sturgis Township. Tee time is 9 a.m. and cost is $60 per person. Proceeds benefit programs such as river cleanup, a tree for every fourth-grade student in the county, …

A formerly unnamed drain starting in Three Rivers now has an identity thanks to Michigan Department of Transportation and a local county official. St. Joseph County Drain Commissioner Jeff Wenzel said considering the location of the drain, which flows southeast out of Three Rivers and empties into the St. Joseph River, there was no debate about choosing the name “Wildcat …

State police troopers are investigating multiple complaints involving two stolen vehicles and numerous larcenies from motor vehicles last weekend. Investigators said a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu and a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse were subsequently recovered. The incidents occurred late Friday or early Saturday. Both vehicles were seen early Saturday in Fabius and Lockport townships. Witnesses said they observed both vehicles stopping at …

The Constantine Downtown Development Authority has created a new grant program to offset costs of modifying existing, older buildings. DDA director Diana Lammott said older buildings sometimes require additional costs to make the space usable. Through the matching-grant program, the DDA will pay up to half the cost of a project, with the remainder coming from the building or business …