News

Construction of Vicksburg’s new municipal building has passed its halfway point and village council members had an opportunity last week to check out the progress. Council members Karl Keller, Denny Olsen and Ryan Wagner comprised the first group to meet with Morgan Macomber, senior project manager with Frederick Construction. Located on a parcel just north of the village water tower …

A proposal to take hiring of employees and coaches out of the hands of board members was raised during last week’s Centreville Public Schools Board of Education meeting. Board president Rod Detwiler said he has long sought to move forward to a place where the board doesn’t have to approve administrative contracts, new hires or new coaches, and instead put …

The city of Sturgis adopted its 2023-24 fiscal year budget recently, as city commissioners are focusing on long-range funding due to increasing expenses. The city commission adopted the budget and next year’s fee schedule Aug. 9. The city operating tax rate is set at 11.6818 mills; revenue raised from 1 mill is nearly $280,000. The police department budget was set …

Thurston Woods residents had the opportunity to engage in some friendly, Olympic-style competition last week. Maree Wagner, administrative assistant at the Sturgis-based senior-care facility, said Resident Olympics is a tradition enjoyed by many members of the Thurston Woods family. Wagner said an opening ceremony Aug. 15 featured a parade of residents through the facility’s hallways. Several decorated their wheelchairs and …

St. Joseph County Commissioner Luis Rosado provided an explanation about his vote last week against seeking Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s intervention to have Sheriff Mark Lillywhite removed from office. Rosado said he had fielded questions from a number of constituents following Tuesday’s vote. Rosado said his vote was cast out of caution based on the circumstances of Lillywhite’s appearance at the …

Three people were injured after a tire on the car they were in blew out last week in Branch County’s Butler Township. State police said the incident occurred at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in the 1100 block of Clarendon Road. The vehicle went off the road, down an embankment and struck a tree, authorities said. No information was provided about the …

Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy is continuing its fundraising campaign toward a goal of $250,000. Agency officials said the drive is an attempt to purchase a 457-acre property called the LaGrange Valley Wetlands. The Cass County property features an extensive amount of wetlands with water flowing ultimately into the Dowagiac Creek. Acquisition of the property will allow Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy …

The Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the 2023 “Treasures of St. Joseph County” event. This year’s attraction is a fundraiser to help with renovation of the Langley Covered Bridge. It will take place 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 23 at Covered Bridge Farm Park. Tickets are $60 per person and include music, wine tasting, a dessert auction …

Glen Oaks Community College officials have secured an architect to aid with development of a new, on-campus building. College officials are planning to have a new agriculture building constructed and during last week’s meeting, Glen Oaks Board of Trustees members OK’d the hiring of Design Collaborative of Fort Wayne to handle the task. The college, however, is waiting for approval …

Heritage Park at the St. Joseph County Grange Fair is encouraging participation in the open-class tractors event at the upcoming St. Joseph County Grange Fair. Tractor clubs can park together in open-class the Friday before the fair starts and until 10 a.m. Saturday. There will be 24-hour security and the operator of each tractor will be issued a two-day pass. …