News

Members of the St. Joseph County Animal Control Advisory Board are starting to form a public-awareness campaign in hopes of eventually supporting a new animal-control building. Their first step was taken a few weeks ago, when they conducted a walk-through of the Centreville-based facility. The participants included all five members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners as well as county …

Members of the Centreville Village Council have named longtime community residents Dennis and Vicki Allen as 2019 Centreville “Citizens of the Year.” They will be honored at the conclusion of this year’s Covered Bridge Days parade July 13. The couple attended Centreville High School and they married in 1976. Dennis Allen, chair of the county board of commissioners, is a …

The Centreville Public Schools Board of Education recently honored three of its personnel who received special accolades. Jill Peterson, co-athletic director and communications director, was named Kalamazoo Gazette “Girls’ Basketball Coach of the Year.” Meanwhile, Cathy Carpenter, literacy coach, was named “Michigan Youth in Government Advisor of the Year.” Finally, Bart Schrader, second-grade teacher, was named “General Education Teacher of …

The Centreville Village Council has approved an ordinance prohibiting marijuana establishments in the village. A violation of the ordinance will result in a municipal civil infraction, a fine from $100 to $500. In other action, Michelle Thibideau will serve as village clerk after accepting the resignation of previous clerk Rhea Schrader. Thibideau, currently director of public works, will continue in …

The St. Joseph County Bar Association has announced the recipient of its 2019 Liberty Bell Award. Barbara Howes, a consultant who works with St. Joseph County Circuit Court Adult Treatment Court, and its Swift and Sure program, was selected as this year’s winner. She also serves as coordinator for both specialty courts. Judge Jeff Middleton said Howes wrote an additional …

Two people were injured in a collision Monday afternoon in Cass County’s Penn Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 1:40 p.m. to M-60, near Gards Prairie Road. Behnke said Charles Sampson, 46, of Cassopolis, was driving eastbound on M-60 when he lost control. The vehicle crossed the centerline and into oncoming traffic. His car struck a vehicle …

March’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County was four-tenths of a percent higher than the previous month. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed the county’s 4.1 percent March unemployment rate marked an increase from February’s 3.7 percent. St. Joseph County was below the state unemployment average, which was 4.4 percent in March. …

An Arizona woman was injured this week after she fell asleep while driving and her car left the roadway in Cass County’s Mason Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said the incident occurred shortly after 4 a.m. Monday on U.S. 12 near the intersection of Starbrick Road. Kristi Shuler, of Kingman, Ariz., told deputies she was driving east on U.S. 12 when …

One of three defendants charged with murder in a 2018 shooting has entered a guilty plea. Kayla Chaney pleaded guilty to second-degree murder Friday in 45th Circuit Court in Centreville. Chaney admitted to pulling the trigger that killed Kevin Johnson Nov. 18 in Flowerfield Township. Chaney and co-defendants Tyler McNeil and Theron Hunt were charged with open murder and armed …

White Pigeon Community Schools Board of Education recently approved the purchase of two, 10-passenger vans at a cost of $30,000 each. Superintendent Jon Keyer said the vans would prove convenient when the district has to transport teams with low numbers – quiz bowl and math meet, for example – thus not requiring use of a 66-passenger bus.