Recent Posts

County commission discusses allocation of portion of Rescue Plan funds

St. Joseph County officials appear to have some momentum regarding an allocation of their American Rescue Plan Act funds. During their monthly board meeting Tuesday, county commissioners discussed various options regarding a $1 million allocation of an $11.8 million windfall received through the American Rescue Plan Act. It seems commissioners are going to make funds available to local entities, not-for-profit …

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Victim Services Unit receives award

An all-volunteer group that operates under the St. Joseph Sheriff’s Department has received a state award. The Michigan Sheriff’s Association recently recognized St. Joseph County’s Victim Services Unit as the state’s “Unit of the Year.” The award was announced and presented at the conclusion of a Victim Services Unit annual training event in Lansing. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said St. Joseph …

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Agreement reached to resume formula production

Infant formula maker Abbott said Monday it has reached an agreement with U.S. health officials to restart production at its largest domestic factory in Sturgis, a key step toward easing a nationwide shortage tied to the plant’s shutdown earlier this year. Abbott did not immediately detail terms of the agreement reached with the Food and Drug Administration, which has been …

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Constantine man receives 6 month sentence

A Constantine man was sentenced to six months in jail for molesting a teen-age girl in 2020. Ollie McKinnie, 55, of Constantine, was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman for molesting a then-15-year-old girl at McKinnie’s home. McKinnie, a friend of the victim’s mother, admitted to assault with intent to commit second-degree criminal sexual conduct. Stutesman said there would …

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Michigan COVID cases increase

New coronavirus cases leaped in Michigan in the week ending Sunday, rising 46 percent, as more than 27,000 cases were reported. The previous week had nearly 19,000 new cases of the virus that causes COVID-19. St. Joseph County reported 55 cases and zero deaths in the latest week. A week earlier, it had reported 21 cases and zero deaths. Throughout …

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Centreville names Citizens of the Year

Two longtime Centreville residents were named the village’s “Citizens of the Year.” Village council members on Monday announced Doug and Nancy Schwartz will be recognized and receive a plaque during the 2022 Covered Bridge Days in July. The Centreville High School graduates have been married for more than 30 years, and their children and grandchildren have attended or currently attend …

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Out and About – Week of May 16th

Thurston Woods Village, in Sturgis, would like to invite all interested golfers to join the fun at their 8th Annual Golf Outing, Friday, June 3, at the Klinger Lake Golf Course on Route 12, west of Sturgis. Registration begins at 10 AM, followed by a shotgun start at 11 AM. All proceeds will be used to create a training program …

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Two motorcyclists die in crash

Two White Pigeon men died after the motorcycles they were driving were struck from behind in Cass County’s Porter Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly after 4:30 a.m. Monday to the intersection of U.S. 12 and Baldwin Prairie Road. Investigators said motorcycles driven by Tanner Hull, 20, and William Kunz, 21, had slowed to turn left onto …

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Health department adds COVID-19 testing site

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has partnered with Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Service of St. Joseph County to offer a free, weekly COVID-19 testing site. The first testing opportunity is today. It will continue 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays through the summer at CMH’s Administrative Entrance parking lot, 677 E. Main St. in Centreville. The Centreville …

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Postmaster general: Get used to ‘uncomfortable’ rate hikes

Americans should get used to “uncomfortable” postage rate increases in coming years as the U.S. Postal Service seeks to become self-sufficient, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said Thursday. The Postal Service Board of Governors sets postage rates, but DeJoy said he’ll advocate for raising prices until “we have accomplished our objective of projecting a trajectory that shows us being self-sustaining.” “I …

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