News

Four people were injured last weekend after a vehicle struck a deer in Cass County’s Porter Township. Sheriff Clint Roach said deputies responded shortly before 9:30 p.m. Saturday to an area of M-40, where a herd of deer entered the roadway. The driver, a 65-year-old Edwardsburg woman, was unable to avoid striking one of the deer with her car. Roach …

Four area school districts are asking their taxpayers to weigh in on bond proposals today. Sturgis Public Schools, St. Joseph County’s largest school district, is pitching a $98 million bond proposal. If passed, the proposal will extend a current bond with no increase in taxes, according to district officials. Superintendent Art Ebert said the district is nearing the end of …

Colon Community Schools is asking its registered voters to continue the district’s sinking-fund millage for an additional eight years. District officials said the sinking fund – initially OK’d in 2019 – supports long-term building repairs, renovations and safety improvements. The current millage rate of 1.2906 mills would be renewed if today’s request is supported. If the millage is approved, the …

Vicksburg Community School District, which extends into northern St. Joseph County, is asking voters to pass a $64.1 million bond. If approved, the bond would levy 3.83 mills in 2026. The millage rate would be replacing mills that are expiring, so voters would not see a net increase in their tax rate, according to assistant superintendent Steve Goss. Goss said …

In Branch County, Coldwater Community Schools district voters will decide on a $64 million bond proposal focused on modernizing the nearly 70-year-old Coldwater High School. According to district officials, the initiative seeks to fund a new 62,000-square-foot wing featuring updated science labs and a media center, while also addressing infrastructure needs such as replacing leaking roofs and installing the school’s …

Cass County Road Commission has information related to upcoming roadwork in Howard and Pokagon townships. Michigan Department of Transportation plans to widen shoulders, install curve-warning signs, add center rumble strips and perform guardrail upgrades starting May 18 on M-51 between White Street in Howard Township and Crystal Springs Street in Pokagon Township. Traffic will likely be narrowed to one lane …

The U.S. Small Business Administration has made low-interest federal disaster loans available for those affected by the March 6th tornadoes. According to federal officials, loans are available for businesses, nonprofits and residents. The SBA also issued a disaster declaration Monday following a request by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. The declaration covers eight counties, including St. Joseph, Cass and Branch. Residents in …

Sturgis firefighters were dispatched shortly after 4:30 a.m. Thursday to a residential blaze in the 500 block of Mechanic Street. According to a department media release, first-arriving crews noticed a fully-involved garage fire that had extended to the home as well as to a residence west of the property. Damage was considerable, authorities said. The garage was completely engulfed, a …

Monday’s strong winds took their toll on county services in St. Joseph County this week. Erin Goff, from the county’s administrator’s office, said loss of power forced a number of county agencies to close Tuesday and Wednesday. In light of the power outage that struck Centreville late Monday, non-emergency county buildings in the village were closed for the day Tuesday. …

White Pigeon Township Library invites the public to participate in a new program offered Monday mornings starting next week. Director Perri Saunders said the popular game Mahjong will be taught starting at 9:30 a.m. every Monday through the summer. Overseen by Suzi Puckett, demonstrations will center on how to play the game in its American and Chinese versions. Saunders suggested …