News

Glen Oaks Community College has announced the hiring of its new executive director of communications and marketing. Denise DeVries is joining the college, replacing Valorie Juergens. Juergens is retiring in January after more than 11 years with the school. A Portage resident, DeVries was previously the senior manager of marketing and communications for Special-Lite Inc., a custom commercial-door manufacturer in …

A nationally recognized coffee chain is on its way to Vicksburg. Details related to a plan submitted by Biggby Coffee were addressed at Vicksburg Planning Commission’s Dec. 11 meeting. Biggby’s site plan was given a green light and will eventually be developed at the northwest corner of East Prairie and North Richardson streets on property vacant for 30 years. Entry …

A 27-year-old man survived for six days on only rainwater while pinned tightly inside his crashed pickup truck beneath a highway bridge in northwest Indiana. His ordeal ended when two men scouting for fishing spots Tuesday afternoon noticed the badly damaged vehicle, its white airbag deployed, and reached inside. “They touched the body, and the person turned their head and …

An attempted recall of the five-member White Pigeon Township Board is no longer valid due to timing. With less than a year before their terms on the board expire, supervisor Don Gloy, treasurer Trudy Gloy, clerk Lacie Pletcher, and trustees Jean Tefft and Vince Schroen, will not be subject to a recall. County clerk Lindsay Oswald said state law prohibits …

Dozens of St. Joseph County residents could be victims of mail theft following an incident reported over the weekend in Sherman Township. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman said deputies were advised shortly after 9 a.m. Sunday that mail was found scattered throughout the area in the 25000 block of Mintdale Road. Deputies discovered the mail was removed from mailboxes within Sherman and …

The country’s last Hot ‘n Now has put a piece of its history in the hands of a collector. Earlier in the month, Wanda Lesniak, co-owner of the iconic restaurant on South Centerville Road in Sturgis, announced the analog menu sign was being replaced by a digital version. The old sign was auctioned off to benefit Isaiah 117 House, a …

St. Joseph County Road Commission saved taxpayers more than $250,000 by overseeing a culvert-replacement project itself rather than contracting the job to an outside source. The fact was one of many shared by Eric Shafer, chairman of the St. Joseph County Road Commission Board. He presented the agency’s 2022 annual report to St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners Dec. 19. …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating the theft of a vehicle taken between Sunday at 9:30 am and Monday at 9:00 am from a location in Sherman Township. Investigators said the 1998 GMC Sierra was stolen from a location in the 64000 block of Shimmel Road. It is pewter colored with Michigan registration plate DYP5018. A moon sticker and orange …

St. Joseph County officials agreed to renew a contract with Kalamazoo County for year-round disposal of household hazardous waste. During their monthly board meeting Dec. 19, commissioners OK’d a proposal to continue the arrangement that started in May. County administrator Teresa Doehring said the service is provided to St. Joseph County residents and allows for drop-off of hard-to-dispose-of items such …

Speed was considered a factor in a crash involving a Sturgis man last week in Cass County’s Porter Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly before 1 p.m. Friday to an area on Birch Road, north of Chapel Hill Street. Behnke said 22-year-old Tyler Meringa was driving north on Birch Road, where he attempted to negotiate a curve …