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St. Joseph County officials have agreed to tap into the expertise of a consulting firm for assistance with how to spend nearly $12 million. Commissioners on Tuesday approved a request from county administrator Teresa Doehring to seek help with the county’s handling of federal money it will receive through the American Rescue Plan. Lansing-based Public Sector Consultants was recommended by …

Members of the Constantine Village Council have approved a two-year contract for Dan Thayer to serve as chief of police. Thayer, a retired state trooper with 25 years of experience, had been employed part-time as an officer with the Constantine agency. Mark Honeysett currently serves as chief of police and village manager. He will step down as police chief when …

New coronavirus cases rose in Michigan in the week ending Sept. 5, up 15.8 percent, as 16,254 cases were reported. St. Joseph County reported 123 cases and zero deaths in the latest week. A week earlier, it had reported 119 cases and zero deaths. Throughout the pandemic, it has confirmed 6,777 cases and 104 deaths. Cases fell in 23 counties, …

The community is invited to join Domestic and Sexual Abuse Services at a candle-light vigil next month. The annual vigil is staged to remember those who lost their lives to domestic violence, and to stand in solidarity with survivors and their children. This Year’s theme for the vigil is “Remember My Name.” It will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 12 …

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has released its annual deer hunting preview just ahead of the deer hunting seasons, which begin Sept. 11. Overall, conditions are looking excellent for the upcoming seasons, and deer hunters can expect hunting to be as good or better than last year. Hunters who have viewed the 2021 Hunting Digest may have noticed a …

The state issued updated guidance Wednesday to help Michigan schools and local health departments navigate whether asymptomatic students who have been exposed to a coronavirus-infected student should quarantine at home or stay in school. A change: Unvaccinated but masked students who were less than 3 feet from a COVID-positive student for at least 15 minutes can remain in school but …

Three elected officials who voted to award themselves bonuses with federal COVID-19 money are facing a recall campaign in Shiawassee County. The county election commission approved petition language Tuesday, The Argus-Press reported. If the petition survives an appeal after 10 days, recall supporters plan to start collecting signatures to force an election in 2022, roughly 1,100 for each of the targeted county commissioners: …

Due to an increase in local COVID-19 cases, Sturgis Hospital is limiting exposure by setting visitor guidelines, effective immediately. Shari Ransberger, vice president of quality risk management at Sturgis Hospital, said tests for COVID-19 at the hospital revealed about a 13 percent positivity rate. That compares to about 2 percent of positive cases in tests two months ago, Ransberger said. Visitors …

L.A.’s Coffee Cafe in Three Rivers is the latest recipient of Sen. Kim LaSata’s “Small Business of the Month” award. L.A.’s Coffee Cafe was co-founded in 2000 by Leslie, Jerry and Aimee Robbins. LaSata said not only does the Robbins family dedicate their lives to serving their customers, but they have routinely demonstrated a commitment to their community. Since November …

A partnership between St. Joseph County Grange Fair and Covered Bridge Healthcare aims to enhance already-established first-aid offerings at the fair. The Centreville-based clinic will collaborate with “Nurse Betty” Meyer and her crew with the goal to make the annual event even safer for everyone involved. Medical presence on the grounds will begin Sept. 18 and continue through Sept. 26, ensuring coverage …