News

Hundreds of thousands of hunters began their quest for whitetail deer across Michigan this weekend, the start of the annual firearms season. Michigan Department of Natural Resources Deer and Elk Program Leader, Brent Rudolph, says they expect nearly 600-thousand to take part during the 16-day season, and reminds them that they are required to wear some form of blaze orange clothing while …

A Constantine woman died following a chain-reaction traffic accident Thursday morning on a slippery US-131 south of Schoolcraft. The victim was identified as 59-year-old Deborah Mead. She had to be extricated from the vehicle, after her car was shoved into the path of a fuel truck. Mead died several hours later at Bronson Methodist Hospital.

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a breaking-and-entering incident in Colon Township. According to a department media release, the investigation took place around 4 p.m. Wednesday at a residence in the 58000 block of Long Lake Road. Access into the residence was gained through a window. Investigators said a number of items inside the residence were moved and …

The St. Joseph County Health Center has hired a new nurse practitioner, a move that allows it to begin stepping up its outreach efforts. Center director Lynn Dobberteen said Jay Guikema started seeing patients Wednesday at the Centreville-based agency. With Guikema on board, nurse practitioner Tami Millard will now have a chance to lead outside events, such as health fairs, …

Regional football action is on tap this weekend, as the Mendon Hornets are the only local team still in the state playoffs. The 10-and-1 Hornets will travel to Muskegon to take on undefeated Catholic Central in a 1 p.m. showdown Saturday. The Crusaders are 11-and-0 and have won each of their games by an average of 41 points this season. …

White Pigeon Township Library did its part in an attempt to help set a world record Thursday. The library was the only area venue to take part in a world-wide effort for “Most people sport stacking at multiple locations in one day.” Library director Perri Saunders said the library maxed out its space at 60 people for the half-hour attempt. …

The Sturgis Area Community Foundation recently completed its 2014 competitive grant program. The following organizations received grants: Children’s Trauma Assessment Group of St. Joseph County: $12,500 to assist the startup of the organization. City of Sturgis: $6,300 toward the Recreation Security Project. KeyStone Place, Inc.: $1,200 to assist with Project Connect. Open Door Art Center: $1,200 for the Pottery Wheel …

The Centreville Village Council has made a salary adjustment for its interim police chief, David Richmond. With the added duties included with his chief-related obligations, Richmond was allocated a salary adjustment from $13 an hour to $16 an hour. Richmond, 30, was named interim chief a month ago after Luke Delcourt resigned Oct. 2 before he was to meet with …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has agreed to return to staging its committee of the whole meetings twice a month. The five-member panel last month decided to assemble at 8 a.m. the Wednesday before its twice-a-month board meetings. The committee of the whole meetings starting in January this year were held just once a month, prior to the …

Sales of Michigan deer licenses are down this year despite a weekend start to the annual hunting season.  The Detroit News reports just over 1 million licenses were sold from March through Sunday, the lowest number in the past six years. The traditional firearm season starts Saturday.  Some out-of-state hunters say they won’t pursue deer because of the higher cost. …