News

Community Action’s inaugural “Whack for Warmth” golf outing raised nearly $30,000. Proceeds will be used to help keep families warm this winter. The nonprofit had previously relied on its annual “Walk for Warmth” to raise money for utility assistance in a five-county service area that includes St. Joseph County. The event was held Aug. 5 at Squirrel Hollow Golf Course …

White Pigeon Township will host an event to benefit its bookmobile fundraiser. “Martinis and Murder” will take place starting at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 15 at Tomahawk Tavern. A limited number of tickets will be made available and are $10 each. They can be purchased through the website Eventbrite. Any remaining tickets on Nov. 15 will be sold for $15 at …

Pregnancy Helpline Center of Three Rivers is resuming a fundraiser to replace its aging ultrasound machine. Pregnancy Helpline Center has partnered with Mendon Mansion Coffee to help the agency with its goal of purchasing a new ultrasound machine. Anyone making a donation of $20 or greater will receive a one-pound bag of Mendon Mansion Coffee premium dark-roast blend or drip-grind …

Here’s a look at this month’s Fresh Food Distribution in St. Joseph County. Seventh-Day Adventist Church, east of Centreville on M-86 will host the month’s first distribution. It will take place at 4 p.m. Sept. 12. St. Joseph County Transportation Authority will provide a free ride to and from the event with 24-hour advance notice. A ride can be secured …

Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency officer Rebecca Burns said new cases of COVID-19 are on the rise. During the health agency’s board meeting last week, Burns said the first U.S. case of a new variant was reported from a sample collected Aug. 3 by a lab at the University of Michigan. The adult lived in Washtenaw County and had not …

Three dogs perished in a structure fire over the weekend in the village of Constantine. Chief Mike Haydon said the agency was notified shortly after 4 p.m. Sunday about a fire in the 200 block of Plum Street. Crews arrived in a matter of minutes and found the back porch of the residence fully engulfed in flames. Haydon said crews …

U.S. Sen. Gary Peters is encouraging former members of the military to consider signing up for VA benefits to toxic-exposed veterans. The benefits are the result of the PACT Act, signed into law in 2022. Peters said there is no deadline to apply but his public appeal is being made in hopes of bringing awareness to the potential benefits. PACT …

Here’s an update on work being done on U.S. 131 in St. Joseph and Kalamazoo counties, according to Michigan Department of Transportation’s Christopher Jacobs. Recently finished work includes storm sewer northbound from the Rocky River to Michigan Avenue, and median restoration and permanent signs in the median. Meanwhile, northbound traffic is being maintained in the median lane. Jacobs said curbing …

Michigan Department of Transportation has approved a transportation plan covering a five-year period, and a number of local roads are included. The window, from 2024 through 2028, includes reconstruction of portions of M-60, M-86 and the U.S. 131 Business Route in the Three Rivers area. In addition, the Portage River bridge on East Michigan Avenue is targeted for replacement, while …

Sturgis municipal officials have announced a segment of Lafayette Street, between North Lakeview and North Franks avenues, has a new speed limit. City Commission members this week approved a recommendation to adjust the maximum speed limit on the one-mile stretch between the eastern border of Wall Elementary School and the new roundabout next to Spence Softball Complex. The new speed …