News

Organizers of next month’s Constantine Harvest Festival invite the public to participate in any of a number of competitions. The one-day festival is Sept. 7. The first competition is an apple-pie baking contest. Age groups are 12 and under, 13 through 17 years, 18 through 39, and 40 and older. All entries must be delivered to the village office between …

Glen Oaks Community College officials have announced the school’s participation in the Michigan Community College Guarantee, offering tuition-free associate degrees or skills certificates to eligible, local high school graduates. The initiative, part of a statewide effort to increase higher education accessibility, could save students up to $4,800 annually. Tonya Howden, vice president of student services, said starting this academic year, …

Michigan State Police troopers responded to a report of a 14-year-old boy who allegedly stabbed members of his family and dog earlier this week in Branch County’s Bronson Township. Investigators were called around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday to the 400 block of Taggart Road. Prosecutor Zack Stempien said injuries to the victims are minimal and could be classified as small lacerations. …

Michigan Department of Transportation’s Chris Jacobs has issued an update regarding the second phase of U.S. 131 construction. The project, which started April 15, is concentrated to an area that includes the village of Schoolcraft and an area north to Shaver Road. According to Jacobs, completed work includes curb, gutter and sidewalk from Holmes Street to the railroad crossing; hot-mix …

The baseball field and two softball fields at Centreville High School will eternally serve as Al Murk’s legacy. Now, the lifelong Centreville resident and his wife, Trudy, will forever be recognized for their contributions to the three-field complex. A sign acknowledging the Murks was unveiled Tuesday morning at the entrance to the sports complex. Though the Murks knew a sign …

An Elkhart man was hospitalized after he disobeyed a stop sign and caused a multi-vehicle crash in Cass County’s Porter Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 4 p.m. Monday to Union Road and Mason Street in response to a three-vehicle crash. Investigators said a vehicle driven by the Elkhart man was heading west on Mason Street and …

A 40-year-old Sturgis man was arrested after he was found to be in possession of items taken during a breaking-and-entering incident last week in Burr Oak Township. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman said deputies responded Thursday to a residence in the 29000 block of Kelly Road. The victim told authorities that a four-wheeler and more than $1,000 worth of tools were stolen. …

Early voting in St. Joseph County is now in effect. The process started Sunday and continues through this weekend at the county’s training facility, 602 E. Main St., in Centreville. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, 11 a.m. to 7 o’clock Wednesday, 9 to 5 Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to …

Three Rivers Police Deputy Chief Sam Smallcomb said a local woman who had been missing for more than two weeks was found and is safe. According to a department media release, 46-year-old Melanie Jo Loree was reported missing July 8. She had been last seen in the 300 block of South Erie Street. Chief Scott Boling issued a media release …

St. Joseph County officials were notified last week that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has determined the damage caused by the May 7 tornadoes in a four-county region does not warrant supplemental federal assistance. A request was made by Gov. Whitmer for a major-disaster declaration to secure aid for Branch, Cass, Kalamazoo and St. Joseph counties. FEMA has reviewed paperwork …