News

Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory has detected the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a backyard flock from Cass County. This is the first case of HPAI in Cass County since the disease was first detected in the state in 2022 and the first confirmed case in Michigan since March 2023. Agency officials said as the fall migration …

Voting on a tentative contract agreement between General Motors and the United Auto Workers union that ended a six-week strike against the company appears too close to call after the latest tallies at several GM factories were announced Wednesday. The union hasn’t posted final vote totals yet, but workers at several large factories who finished voting in the past few days have …

Schoolcraft Post Office is one of three post offices that will move delivery units to one facility in Kalamazoo. Agency officials said the plan involves Schoolcraft, Portage and the Kalamazoo-Westwood branch, and will take effect in June. Plans call for the post offices to remain open for all retail services, however, no mail will be distributed from them, according to …

A popular holiday program is returning to Three Rivers this season. “Firefighters for Santa,” a program undertaken by Three Rivers Fire Department, is partnering with St. Joseph County United Way for the 2023 program. The United Way will act as a fiduciary agent for the program, granting all donations made to the cause to the Three Rivers Fire Department Firefighters …

Sturgis District Library has announced initiatives to encourage residents to read more with less pressure on potential overdue fines. The library is encouraging the spirit of sharing and generosity by eliminating fines on children’s books and collecting food in lieu of fines on all other books. “Food for Fines” is a program where patrons may donate unexpired, nonperishable goods to …

Glen Oaks Board of Trustees has announced the formation of a Presidential Search Committee to select a new college president. Current president David Devier plans to retire in June 2024. Devier has held the position since January 2014. The board last month approved moving forward with using the Association of Community College Trustees as the presidential search firm. College officials …

Saturday’s Veterans Day program in Centreville was declared a success by event organizers. Sponsored by the Centreville Downtown Development Authority, the morning program featured a sidewalk procession along the village’s Military Freedom Walk from South Clinton Street to Yoder’s Country Market. Nearly 50 people took part in the walk, and about 30 veterans were present and recognized during a social …

Michigan’s minimum wage is scheduled to increase on Jan. 1, 2024. The state’s minimum wage will increase from $10.10 to $10.33 per hour, according to the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. In addition, starting Jan. 1, the 85% of the minimum hourly wage rate for minors ages 16 and 17 will increase to $8.78 per hour. The tipped …

St. Joseph County’s lone representatives in the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s football playoffs were eliminated over the weekend. White Pigeon finishes its season with an 11-1 record. It lost Friday night in a Division 8 contest to Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 54-6. The Bobcats are now 12-0. Meanwhile, in Division 6 action, Constantine had the homefield advantage but lost to …

Area police agencies seized more than six dozen illegally possessed firearms during a raid on a Sherman Township home Tuesday in the 25000 block of Hiawatha Drive, according to a release from Michigan State Police. No arrests were made but evidence will be forwarded to federal officials and the St. Joseph County prosecuting attorney for possible charges, investigators said. During …