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As part of its 2020 construction season, Michigan Department of Transportation has announced plans to complete improvements at four intersections with M-66 in the Sturgis area. According to MDOT, the intersections are at Fawn River Road, West South Street, West Street and Wenzel Avenue. MDOT’s upgrades, at no cost to the city, include Intelligent Transportation System/ connected vehicle enhancements; changing …

The Republican-led Michigan Legislature refused Thursday to extend the state’s coronavirus emergency declaration and voted to authorize a lawsuit challenging Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s authority and actions to combat the pandemic. The governor, unfazed, responded with orders stating under one law that an emergency still exists, while under another law declaring new 28-day states of emergency and disaster. The latter …

A proposed staffing move that would likely include furloughs, reduced hours and potential layoffs could impact as many as 45 St. Joseph County employees. During their executive committee meeting Wednesday, commissioners examined the issue of temporary staffing reductions in light of the coronavirus pandemic and financial toll it has taken on county operations since mid-March. County administrator Teresa Doehring said …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is reporting updated information on case counts in the tri-county area. The number of cases represents the total number of cases identified in each county (and LCF) since the beginning of the outbreak. It does not represent the number of cases that are considered completed in the disease course for COVID-19. The number of …

A 19-year-old Three Rivers woman died in a single-vehicle accident Tuesday evening in Nottawa Township. Sheriff’s deputies said the victim, Karly Bingaman, was driving north on Covered Bridge Road when her vehicle left the roadway in the 56000 block, south of Leland Road, and struck a tree. Investigators said the vehicle caught on fire and that Bingaman died at the …

A standoff in Three Rivers ended Tuesday when a 54-year-old Three Rivers man was taken into custody. Nobody was hurt during the nearly four-hour incident that started around 3 p.m. at a residence in the 100 block of Fifth Avenue. The Three Rivers Police Department and St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said the origin of the incident centered on a …

The St. Joseph County Road Commission Board recently approved a resolution supporting applications for funding through Michigan Department of Transportation’s local bridge program. Financially, the greatest request is $750,000 toward rehabilitation of Langley Covered Bridge. The project, which would occur in 2023, is estimated to cost $2 million plus expenses for engineering, design and inspection. The road commission will be …

Constantine Public Schools is ready to begin its interviews for superintendent candidates. Interim Superintendent John Jarpe said the six prospective superintendents were chosen from a pool of about 20 applicants. First-round interviews will be done via teleconference. Candidates being interviewed today are Scott Bojanich at 5 o’clock. He is director of instruction for Rockingham County Public Schools in Virginia; James …

Here’s a reminder that Three Rivers Department of Public Services is in the midst of conducting its semi-annual hydrant flushing. DPS Director Amy Roth said flushing is expected to continue through May 29 and will occur 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Due to many variables, Roth said the department is not able to determine the exact date …

Republicans who control the Michigan Senate urged Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday to lift her five-week-old ban on nonessential medical and dental procedures, saying the decision to resume should be left to hospitals and health providers. The resolution, while symbolic, is the latest move by GOP lawmakers who are pushing the Democratic governor to ease restrictions she adopted to curb the …