News

A St. Joseph County man, who stole a Jeep and led authorities on a pursuit in the city of Hillsdale, has entered into a plea bargain in 1st Judicial Circuit Court in Hillsdale County. Michael Mercer, 23, of Three Rivers, appeared in court last month, facing charges of receiving and concealing stolen property; third-degree fleeing/eluding police; felonious assault; resisting arrest; …

Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency Health Officer Rebecca Burns shared grim news during the agency’s monthly meeting last week. She said St. Joseph County experienced 50 new cases of COVID-19 between June 17 and 24. For comparison, there were 17 in Branch County and six in Hillsdale County over the same time period. On June 24, St. Joseph County reported …

Village of White Pigeon water customers could end up paying $24 more per quarter than originally predicted as a result of an upcoming, system-wide upgrade. That figure is three times the amount project officials first estimated. During a special village council meeting last week, Ken Jones, of South Bend-based Jones, Petrie, Rafinski Corp. engineering, explained the potential increase was the …

Sturgis Hospital announced it will work with patients during as well as after the state of emergency to ensure those who need care for non-COVID-19 procedures receive it. Officials urge people not to delay emergency care out of fear of contracting COVID-19. Sturgis Hospital has improved supplies of personal-protective equipment and staff availability, and will begin to resume other important …

Centreville Jr./Sr. High principal Chad Brady told school board members last week he and the school-improvement team discussed considering a block scheduling scenario. With a four-block schedule, Brady said, students would spend more time in each class. Class sizes could be smaller and the school could open additional electives. After the semester break, students would shift to a different set …

State police troopers are investigating a breaking-and-entering complaint that occurred last week in Sherman Township. According to a department media release, two suspects approached a resident in the 27000 block of Featherstone Road. Authorities said the suspects advised they were there to give a quote for roof repairs. One suspect requested that the homeowner follow him to the rear of …

A Sturgis man was sentenced to at least five years in prison after pleading guilty to third-degree criminal sexual conduct. St. Joseph County Circuit Court officials said Semja Laureano, 25, was sentenced earlier this month and could serve a maximum of 15 years. The incident took place in August 2019 at a home in Sturgis and involved a girl under …

A 20-year-old Sturgis woman died last week in a two-vehicle accident in Mendon Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Julia Zimmerman died at the scene of the accident, which occurred at 11:40 a.m. Friday on Silver Street, near the intersection of Hampton Road. Investigators said the front, driver’s side tire of a Jeep Wrangler came off the vehicle, …

Michigan Department of Transportation says road crews assigned to the U.S. 131 reconstruction project will have a short week. With the impending federal holiday coming up this weekend, work crews will suspend operations at 3 p.m. Thursday and not return until July 6. The project will see the Stage 5 traffic pattern continue with two-way traffic on the southbound side …

Members of the Centreville Public Schools Board of Education approved the district’s 2020-21 general fund, food service and activity fund budgets last week. Monday’s action was highlighted by uncertainty, as the district anticipates a possible pro-rated reduction of $650 in the 2019-20 per-pupil foundation allowance from the state. The district currently receives $8,111 per pupil. If anticipated cuts occur, the …