News

St. Joseph County Intermediate School District continues to work on plans for the next school year, putting its focus on what to do if the region remains in Phase 4 of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s “Safe Start” plan. Currently, the ISD is considering a hybrid in-person and virtual model. ISD superintendent Teresa Belote said the agency is building plans related to …

For now, it appears Sturgis Public Schools students will have two options for education when school resumes Aug. 24. Superintendent Art Ebert said one proposal is to participate in on-campus learning. The other is to use technology from home to fulfill learning requirements. The final decision will likely be dictated by at what phase the region is in as the …

Indiana will have a statewide face mask mandate starting next week, joining many other states in similar orders aimed at slowing the coronavirus spread, Gov. Eric Holcomb said Wednesday. The Indiana order will take effect Monday (July 27, 2020) and apply to anyone ages 8 and older in any indoor public or business areas and at outdoor public spaces when …

A letter signed by several county residents, including State Rep. Aaron Miller, seeks the resignation of county prosecutor John McDonough. The two-page letter was delivered Monday via email to the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. Over the course of the seven-paragraph letter, co-authored by Miller and Colon Township’s Tadd Davis, McDonough was referenced as demonstrating “continual lack of leadership, …

Here’s an update on St. Joseph County’s 2020 Census returns. Through July 16, Burr Oak has the best return rate, at 69.6 percent. It is followed by Three Rivers, at 67.8 percent. The rest of the county shows White Pigeon’s response rate at 66.9 percent, Mendon at 66.7 percent, Sturgis at 66.2 percent, Centreville and Constantine at 62.9 percent, and …

On the heels of a popular promotion to help local businesses, the Centreville Downtown Development Authority has agreed to stage a second stimulus gift certificate program. The $50 gift cards will be offered for $25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 1 at Centreville High School. There is a limit of two per customer per business. In all, six …

Constantine High School officials have decided to cancel prom, though the district is moving forward with a graduation ceremony Friday. Kathy Jo Tully, a teacher at the high school and prom coordinator, said the committee made arrangements for the July 30 prom in early June, when COVID- 19 cases appeared to be declining and the state of Michigan was on …

A man who robbed a bank in southwestern Michigan and tried to rob another was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison. David Floyd’s sentence last week was enhanced by his previous criminal record. Floyd, who has ties to Michigan City, Indiana, admitted to robbing $11,344 from the former New Buffalo Savings Bank in Three Oaks last September and attempting …

Three people were arrested following a home-invasion incident Sunday in Three Rivers. According to a Three Rivers Police Department media release, officers responded to a residence on South Constantine Street to a report of a home invasion, in which the suspects were armed. The suspects, armed with a gun, bat and knife, broke into the residence and threatened the victims. …

Thieves recently stole about $6,000 worth of fruit from Corey Lake Orchards, a 250-acre specialty-crop operation in Fabius Township. A news release from the Michigan Farm Bureau stated organized theft of this nature had never happened at the farm owned by Beth Hubbard. After a May 9 freeze wiped out most of her sweet and tart cherries, early apples and …