News

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer last week signed a bill that would give dogs used in painful experiments, a chance at a happy life. “Teddy’s Law” was named after a beagle used in an unnecessary, one-year pesticide test contracted by Dow Agrosciences in Michigan. Following a Humane Society investigation into the laboratory, Teddy was released from the experiments. Teddy and beagles who …

St. Joseph County Undersheriff Jason Bingaman has announced the agency’s “Employees of the Month” award recipients for September. Road patrol deputies Kevin Penn and Travis Miller were acknowledged during an in-house ceremony Sept. 12. On Sept. 8, Penn and Miller seized ammunition and numerous guns during the execution of a search warrant at a residence. Their actions not only guaranteed …

St. Joseph County Clerk Lindsay Oswald said voters now have the choice to cast their ballot in person at an early-voting site. The option is in addition to casting a ballot in person at the appropriate precinct on Election Day or through an absentee-ballot process. Oswald said the county’s cities and townships have entered an agreement to host early voting …

St. Joseph County commissioners were brought up to speed this week on a few major, county-backed projects. During their executive committee meeting Tuesday, project manager Jennifer Sawyer provided updates on the Three Rivers satellite courthouse, the Centreville courthouse courts building and work at the St. Joseph County Jail. Regarding the satellite location, which will be used for the county’s Friend …

St. Joseph County officials acknowledged a growing homeless encampment in Three Rivers. During Tuesday’s executive committee meeting, commissioner Rick Shaffer said he has noticed a number of tents and improvised shelters in an area behind Auto Zone, near Walmart. The Auto Zone Shaffer referenced is on the west side of U.S. 131, just north of the Michigan Avenue intersection. Shaffer …

Nearly 200 people made a brave sacrifice to support Special Olympics earlier this week in Sturgis. Morgan Lovelace, a special education teacher at Sturgis Middle School, spearheaded the Polar Plunge. Many people and teams at Sturgis Public Schools helped raise donations and pledges to help Special Olympics. Lovelace said the goal was $10,000. Following the chilly endeavor on Tuesday, Lovelace …

A federal grant secured in part through U.S. Sen. Gary Peters will aid Cass County officials with a major project. The county is poised to receive $1.5 million, which will help fund impending renovations of the historic Cass County courthouse. County commissioners last fall voted in favor of following through on the renovation project. County officials said they hope the …

Constantine Public Schools is creating a new committee in an effort to get more feedback from the public. Superintendent Joe Holloway said the Community Engagement Committee will be comprised of community members who wish to play a role in the district, its goals and its success. Holloway said he would like to see the committee bridge the gap between the …

St. Joseph County Commissioners are expected to approve a number of appointments and re-appointments at their monthly meeting next week. During their executive committee meeting Tuesday, commissioners were advised Gregg Dohm, Kathy Pangle, Robert Horton and Rick Shaffer will be up for re-appointment to the county’s Planning Commission. Meanwhile, four people were mentioned as prospective appointments to the Brownfield Redevelopment …

Langley Covered Bridge will probably not re-open until early January, possibly up to three weeks later than originally anticipated. Garrett Myland, engineer and assistant manager, said the delay is not the result of one specific issue. Rather, the work that needs to be done is being completed in a methodic and thorough manner, he said. Myland recently discussed the current …