News

The Salvation Army of Sturgis has announced that DeWayne Duskin is retiring from the organization’s ministry. Duskin and his wife, Pam, have been charged with heading Salvation Army services in St. Joseph and Branch counties for more than six years. The Duskins will retire in Lansing. Duskin said it is with a heavy heart he will leave Sturgis, where the …

St. Joseph County commissioners recently approved an employee handbook revision. The amendment centers on adding new language regarding the issuance of county ID cards and proper use of the cards. The cards will feature the employee’s name, photo and department of employment. Each card will be programmed with a corresponding security zone. Employees will be given access to the courthouse …

A 29- year- old Constantine man was in critical condition at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo following a crash over the weekend in Constantine Township. Sheriff ’s deputies said Dustin Cole was driving east on Featherstone Road near Constantine Road around 8:30 a.m. Saturday when he lost control of the car. Cole’s vehicle left the right side of road before the …

Last month’s inaugural Styrofoam recycling collection was deemed a success by event organizers. Staged at Waste Management’s Westside Landfill, the four-hour collection June 24 took in more product than what was anticipated, Waste Management’s Eric Shafer said. He said Dart Container of Mason will recover the recycled material when enough Styrofoam is collected to fill 20 containers that measures 39 …

Local health officials say there is no concern to the general population for any health-related hazards or risks associated with lingering smoke from last week’s Mottville Township fire. The fire at Green Stream Recycling began June 26 and has affected an area of about 15 acres. Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has been in contact with the Kalamazoo district office …

Property owners in the city of Sturgis will see no property tax increase this year. City commissioners last week sidestepped adding nearly a half-mill to hire an additional police officer and a fire marshal. The commission set the 2017 operating tax rate at 10.0285 mills, the same millage levied in the city for more than a decade. A millage hike was …

If hunters have their way, a long-legged wetlands bird and an oft-spotted gray dove in southern Michigan could become the latest game species in the state. The Detroit Free Press reports that Michigan United Conservation Clubs passed two measures at its annual convention earlier this month to seek sandhill crane and mourning dove hunting seasons in Michigan. Department of Natural …

A former board member and treasurer for the White Pigeon Parks and Recreation Department has been arrested on charges of embezzlement. Anissa Long, 46, was charged after she was arrested earlier this month. White Pigeon police said the current president of the parks and recreation department contacted police in April. In the course of investigation, authorities reviewed banking transactions and …

Constantine Village Council members have approved an ordinance authorizing the use of golf carts on village streets. An operator must be at least age 16 and licensed to operate a motor vehicle, must comply with signal requirements and may not use the sidewalks. By ordinance, the speed limit is 15 mph. In addition, carts are not permitted on the street …

Jackie Bowen, human resource manager at Kadant Johnson, was recently presented with a Paul Harris recognition by Three Rivers Rotary. A Paul Harris Fellow is recognition for an outstanding commitment to the Rotary Club or to the community. In Bowen’s case, however, it is both. Paul Harris recognition is the highest distinction that a club may bestow on a Rotarian …