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The Colon Chamber of Commerce is hosting a networking event for area business owners next month. The May 11 event, being promoted as the Colon Chamber Open House Mixer, starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Grand Magic Theatre on East State Street in downtown Colon. Organizers said anyone who owns an area business is invited but should still RSVP. Participants …

Years of meticulous budgeting and vigilant planning finally bore fruit this week, as Village President Tim Frisbie and council members participated in a ceremonial groundbreaking for Vicksburg’s new municipal building. Located on a parcel just north of the village water tower on North Richardson Street, the $2.5 million complex is expected to be open by February 2024. A parade of …

A new festival is scheduled to come to Sturgis, centering on food and a celebration of the spring season. The Sturgis Spring Food and Flower Fest is set for 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday in the city’s downtown district. Event organizers said downtown North Street will be dedicated to a “Tastings of the Great Lakes” row, with the North Street …

Maria Guevara, marketing manager for LaGrange County Convention and Visitors Bureau, has been selected for a statewide Tourism Academy for certification as an Indiana Tourism Professionals. She joins a group of 12 other individuals throughout the state. Guevara will participate in a year-long, rigorous educational process that includes six in-depth classes, numerous meetings, and a final project. Upon sufficient completion, …

A two-year road project on a major route through St. Joseph and Kalamazoo counties will begin next week. Michigan Department of Transportation officials said work on US-131 from the Rocky River in Three Rivers is slated to start Monday. Agency officials said 13.4 miles of U.S. 131 will be under construction as part of the $51 million project. Phase one …

Two people have lined up – with more likely to follow – in a bid to become St. Joseph County Sheriff. Though the election is not until August 2024, Chad Spence and Joe Bingaman have announced their respective candidacies for the four-year term. Chad Spence is public safety instructor with the St. Joseph County CTE consortium. He announced his candidacy …

St. Joseph County Sheriff Mark Lillywhite was ordered to serve one year of probation after pleading guilty to a pair of misdemeanor charges related to a drunken-driving crash from earlier this year. The 47-year-old Lillywhite appeared Monday during arraignment at the Kalamazoo County Courthouse. Lillywhite apologized to emergency personnel who responded to the Feb. 26 crash that led to his arrest …

The Michigan Supreme Court has released its fiscal-year 2022 Problem-Solving Courts annual report, tracking the progress and highlighting the success of 207 problem-solving courts across Michigan from October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022. Melissa Bliss, St. Joseph County’s director of community corrections, said St. Joseph County is fortunate to have the 45th Circuit Adult Drug Treatment Court, 45th Circuit …

Centreville Board of Education members approved two key contracts during their board meeting Monday. First, a one-year agreement was reached with Centreville Education Association for the 2023-24 academic year. The contract includes minor changes from the previous contract, a salary schedule and school-year calendar. Meanwhile, a contract was settled with Centreville Educational Support Personnel, also for the 2023-24 academic year. …

Here’s a reminder that the Salvation Army of Kalamazoo County is still in need of volunteers to help with an upcoming, annual event in May. The National Association of Letter Carriers “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive is May 13 and the agency is seeking assistance to help with collected items. Salvation Army officials will be at the Parchment Post Office …