News

Here’s the weekly update from Michigan Department of Transportation regarding the U.S. 131 reconstruction in Three Rivers. Stage 3 traffic plan is in place and two-way traffic is operating on northbound U.S. 131 at M-60 junction toward the south end of the project, as well as northbound at the Hoffman Road/Rocky River bridge area at its north end. Meanwhile, utility-relocation …

The St. Joseph County Intermediate School District Board of Education is accepting applications for a vacancy on its board. The passing last week of Mike Bosma leaves a position to fill. As required by Michigan School Code, the ISD board has 30 days to fill the post. The term expires in October 2021. Any registered voter who resides within St. …

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has informed the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency of a new animal case of EEE in St. Joseph County. This brings the total number of known cases of EEE in St. Joseph county to four; all four in horses. To combat this disease, aerial spraying of insecticide has been completed in areas …

Butter made in southwest Michigan by farmer-owned Michigan Milk Producers Association was awarded top honors last week in the World Dairy Expo Championship Dairy Product Contest. First-, second- and third-place awards were granted to unsalted butter made at MMPA’s dairy plant in Constantine. In the cheese division, MMPA’s colby-jack cheese won third place in the colby or Monterrey jack cheese …

Students in the welding program at Glen Oaks Community College are working with more than 3,000 pounds of metal and aluminum recently donated by Morgan Olson. Alyse Bannister, GOCC welding instructor, said market value for the metal is in excess of $2,000. She noted the college is grateful for Morgan Olson’s donation, as it allows students to practice more freely on …

An Indiana woman suffered minor injuries after the car she was driving went off the road and crashed into a row of trees last week in Cass County’s Porter Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies responded shortly after 9 p.m. Wednesday to an area along Harvey Street, near Walnut Street. Investigators found that Jamee Ketchem, 34, was driving east on …

Two LaGrange County residents were arrested after a pursuit that started in Indiana concluded in Burr Oak Township. Sheriff’s deputies were notified around 8 p.m. Sept. 26 that a vehicle was being pursued by Indiana authorities and heading into eastern St. Joseph County. The vehicle was located near the village of Burr Oak and it continued northbound on Burr Oak …

A pressure washer and a bicycle were stolen recently from an area in Mendon Township. Sheriff’s deputes responded Sept. 21 to the 24000 block of Clark Road in response to a larceny incident. The Generac “One Wash” pressure washer is black in color. The Signature brand bicycle, meanwhile, is a 21-speed, gray and black in color.

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is encouraging all tri-county residents to protect themselves by getting flu shots as soon as possible. Rebecca Burns, health officer for the Coldwater-based agency, said the early availability of the vaccine makes it easy to protect people and their family members through the 2019-20 flu season. Yvonne Atwood, director of personal health and disease …

An Indiana resident was arrested earlier this week following a retail fraud incident at the Sturgis Meijer. Officers were called Monday to the South Centerville Road business for a retail fraud in progress. Officers made contact with the suspect outside the store and upon further investigation, the 28-year-old man from Angola was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession …