News

Students in the welding program at Glen Oaks Community College are learning welding techniques on a new welding simulator thanks to the generosity of a $20,000 donation from Morgan Olson LLC. Through the use of the simulator, students virtually train with different types of welding on a computer screen before applying hands-on training in the school’s welding lab. Morgan Olson …

Glen Oaks Community College’s Board of Trustees voted Thursday to approve in-district tuition rates for all high school students, regardless of their residence. Glen Oaks president David Devier said the college has been approached by high schools outside its service area to offer dual-enrollment classes and the Early Middle College program. Those outlying areas include Kalamazoo, Calhoun, Branch and Elkhart …

A Niles man was injured after his car went off the road due to icy conditions last week in Cass County. Sheriff’s officials said 56-year-old Walter Langheinrich, of Niles, was driving on Leet Road, north of U.S. 12 at 9 p.m. Thursday, when his vehicle went out of control, struck a mailbox and rolled over. He was extricated from the …

Five people were arrested following the execution of a search warrant at a Sturgis residence. St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said SCAN members last week went to the 500 block of Susan Avenue to apprehend Renee Garten for a narcotics-related warrant. SCAN unit members confirmed she and a number of other people were inside the residence. Garten, however, allegedly refused …

A Three Rivers man died as the result of a 3-car crash Thursday afternoon on M-60 near Roberts Road, just west of Three Rivers. The victim was identified as 57-year-old Randy Jansen. Four other people were injured. . . Their names have not been released. County sheriff’s deputies are continuing their investigation.

The city of Three Rivers is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whomever is responsible for damage to headstones at Riverside Cemetery late last year. Three Rivers Police on Thursday issued a media release, which stated the reward amount is $1,000. The damage occurred between 3 p.m. Dec. 19 and noon Dec. 20. Vandals …

Members of the Three Rivers Community Schools Board of Education have selected the Michigan Association of School Boards to help with conducting their search for a new superintendent. District residents are encouraged to participate in the process by attending an open forum at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the district’s administrative office. The event will be led by MASB consultant Rod …

The House Education Reform Committee this week unanimously approved state Rep. Aaron Miller’s legislation to eliminate a professional teaching certification mandate, giving instructors more choice and time to work on classroom quality. Miller said new teachers need to teach, not go back into the classroom for more studying and more testing after recently finishing college to get new certifications. Currently, …

St. Joseph County United Way reached unprecedented heights in its 2018 fundraising campaign. During Tuesday’s “Victory Celebration” at Covered Bridge Farm County Park, the agency announced its annual campaign for the first time topped the million-dollar threshold. Co-chair of the 2018 campaign Mark Lillywhite said the final tally was $1,034,573. The total exceeded the goal of $911,000. United Way director …

St. Joseph County Planning Commission member Joe Woodin was appointed to the Southcentral Michigan Planning Council this week. The move was approved by the county commission during its meeting Tuesday. Woodin, a Marcellus-area resident, replaces Mendon resident Lon Huffman, who has stepped down from the post. Woodin’s appointment was endorsed Jan. 31 by the county planning commission. His term expires …