News

Van Buren/Cass District Health Department is offering free radon-testing services throughout January. Agency officials said they are committed to raising awareness about the dangers of radon gas during Radon Action Month. Radon is a colorless, odorless and tasteless radioactive gas that can pose health risks when present in elevated levels. Radon Action Month provides an excellent opportunity for residents to …

A new pool scoreboard and a high school locker room roof will be put in place this year at Sturgis Public Schools. The board of education on Monday approved a bid from Colorado Time Systems for the new pool scoreboard. The $49,000 cost includes installation, with the money to come from the public-improvement fund as part of the 2024-25 fiscal-year …

The driver of a vehicle involved in a crash earlier this week in Cass County left the scene on foot while abandoning his injured passenger. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly before 3 p.m. Monday to a location near Flanders Street and Twin Lakes Road in Wayne Township. Deputies arrived on scene to find 63-year-old Teri Abiney of …

A five-year strategic plan developed by St. Joseph County Parks and Recreation Department focuses heavily on the county’s 150 miles of navigable rivers and creeks. Details were presented to county commissioners during their executive committee meeting Tuesday. Parks and Recreation Department director Jaymes MacDonald provided a four-page summary outlining goals and objectives through 2028. MacDonald said in addition to serving …

St. Joseph County Road Commission and other county officials plan a ceremonial ribbon cutting Friday afternoon to commemorate re-opening of the Langley Covered Bridge. The 282-foot-long span is expected to re-open to traffic hours later following a closure that began Sept. 11. Crews from Grand Haven-based Anlaan Corporation, contractor for the $3.2 million overhaul, were adding siding to the west …

A jury has been assembled in Branch County for a case centering on a Coldwater Township woman charged with shooting her daughter. Court officials said 66-year-old Kathleen Rowe faces felony-related charges stemming from a January 2023 incident involving Kacey Rowe, 34. Rowe, who declined to accept a plea bargain in October, has maintained she shot her daughter in self-defense. Proceedings …

The Local Beer Cellar & Pizza Oven, a downtown Centreville restaurant and bar that opened in 2014, is closing Saturday. Daniel Templin, who owns the business with his wife, Jamie, confirmed the news over the weekend. He said he and his wife looked at all options and concluded the only practical business move was to suspend operations. Templin said a …

Centreville Public Schools Board of Education agreed Monday to maintain its same officers for 2024. In the absence of any other meaningful business, the board agreed to re-appoint Rod Detweiler as president, Jackie Bowen as vice president, TJ Reed as secretary and Larry Walton as treasurer. The terms for Detweiler and Walton expire at the end of the year. Bowen …

Cass County deputies last week arrested a man who led authorities on a pursuit started in Elkhart County. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were notified at 3:20 a.m. Friday of a vehicle heading north into Michigan near Edwardsburg. The suspect was believed to have been involved in a domestic incident in Elkhart County. Behnke said the vehicle eventually went into …

Nearly three dozen antique bicycles and other items were stolen late last month from a location in Mottville Township. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman said deputies responded Dec. 29 to a location in the 10000 block of U.S. 12. The victim told authorities what appears to be forced entry into a storage facility occurred between Dec. 24 and Dec. 29. Among the …