News

St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department wishes to acknowledge a resident for her help with a special project. Sheriff Chad Spence gave a shoutout on Facebook to Karla Arvizo, who led a project organized by Deputy Veronica Hoggard and Undersheriff David Northrop. Spence said Arvizo, who owns the Sturgis-based business Costuras Karla, created teddy bears for children who have been victimized …

Branch County Sheriff’s Department has announced its receipt of a $100,000 grant to help offset the cost of body-worn cameras. The funding was provided by Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority. A portion of the money will go toward in-car camera projects, according to Sheriff Fred Blankenship. He said the grant lessens the impact on Branch County taxpayers while enhancing accountability, …

The boil-water advisory in effect the past week in Constantine has been lifted. Village officials said the situation was the result of a water-main break Jan. 23. All required water testing has been completed within the required timeframe and results have met state of Michigan standards for drinking water. The advisory was lifted late Wednesday.

White Pigeon Township Library officials provided encouraging news related to a project currently underway. Director Perri Saunders said the “104 Project” allows the library to add a fenced-in greenspace with pavilion on property it purchased at 104 N. Kalamazoo St. A house on the property – located just north of the library – has been demolished and the land excavated. …

An innovative concept involving the use of recycled rubber from old tires recently brought some positive attention to St. Joseph County Road Commission. The measure was applied to a half-mile stretch of Old M-103 in Mottville Township. Instead of a costly rebuild, road commission officials in 2024 tested a road treatment in which a flexible layer that includes recycled tire …

Main Street Smokehouse restaurant in Mendon is hosting a monthly fundraiser to benefit a recently started program at Centreville Public Schools. District officials announced “10% First Tuesdays,” through which one-tenth of all proceeds collected at the eatery the first Tuesday of the month will be turned over to the Centreville Public Schools Food Club. Tuesday operating hours at Main Street …

St. Joseph County United Way’s 2026 annual campaign is coming to a close at the end of the week. Agency officials are issuing a last-minute appeal to any individual, civic group or business interested in making a late contribution to help reach the 2026 campaign goal of $1,277,000. The Centreville-based agency has had a string of successful annual fundraisers topping …

United Airlines and Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport officials announced Tuesday the airline’s return to AZO. Airport director Craig Williams said service from Kalamazoo Chicago O’Hare International Airport will begin in late April. The service, Williams said, will connect to more than 200 cities and bring new connections to 48 new cities that were either two-stop or non-existent from Kalamazoo. United …

Sturgis municipal officials have canceled a snow-removal emergency. The measure went into effect Sunday and prohibited on-street parking citywide. Crews have cleared city streets,  prompting the cancellation of the declaration. For future reference, Sturgis residents are reminded that a snow emergency is in effect with accumulation of snowfall. Per city code, owners of vehicles parked on the street during a …

As the Midwest and a larger area of the country are experiencing extremely cold temperatures, Indiana Michigan Power has announced it will temporarily suspend disconnecting customers’ power. According to a company-issued media release, I&M will suspend disconnects for non-payment through at least Friday. On Saturday, the company will evaluate weather forecasts and determine next steps. Officials from the Fort Wayne-based …