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Michigan Department of Transportation officials will host an open house next week regarding a potential bridge project in Constantine. According to a department-issued media release, the meeting will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 4 at the Constantine Village Office. The occasion will provide an opportunity to discuss the possibility of reducing the U.S. 131 Business …

The annual Point-In-Time count will take place statewide Wednesday. The count collects information about homeless individuals encountered throughout a 24- hour period across the state, including St. Joseph County. As part of the statewide count, the St. Joseph County Housing Task Force is preparing to count the homeless and unsheltered people both on the streets and in shelters countywide. The …

Michigan State Police troopers were called last week to investigate an attempted fraud involving a senior citizen in Branch County. An elderly person was contacted by an individual she believed to be her grandson, who stated he was in court for an at-fault crash and needed $15,000 in order to be released. The victim went to her bank, withdrew the …

There’s something in the air because of something in the trees at a local coffee cafe on the Rocky River here in Three Rivers. In the trees are some wild berries. These berries have a special affect on the local birds. It seems that the Wax-Wing birds love these berries. In fact they love them so much that they consume …

Michigan regulators have approved a rate increase for Indiana Michigan Power, though one significantly smaller than initially sought by the utility. The Michigan Public Service Commission approved an agreement Thursday allowing the Fort Wayne-based company to boost its Michigan customers’ rates by a total of $36.4 million annually. That’s about 38 percent lower than the proposed $58.5 million increase. Regulators …

Mark Lillywhite was sworn in Tuesday as St. Joseph County sheriff. During a ceremony at the county courthouse, county clerk Lindsay Oswald swore in Lillywhite, who will complete the remaining 11 months of Brad Balk’s four-year term. Balk announced in November his retirement effective Jan. 31. Lillywhite, 44, said he appreciates the opportunity to complete Balk’s term and plans to …

A fire this week at a home in Sturgis caused minor damage. According to Sturgis Fire Department, the incident took place around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday at 203 S. Jefferson St. Dispatchers said smoke and fire were detected in the attic. Fire crews found a small fire after opening up a knee wall in the second-story attic. The fire was quickly …

Natalie Boland will be honored by Sturgis Exchange Club when it conducts its 77th annual “Book of Golden Deeds” award ceremony next month. Boland was selected for the award in recognition of her volunteer efforts and ability to offer help to so many organizations that have positively affected the community. The program will take place at 11:45 a.m. Feb. 6 …

St. Joseph County Treasurer Judie Ratering announced Tuesday she will not seek re-election in the August primary to a third, four-year term. Addressing the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners, Ratering on Tuesday said she plans to retire after her current term expires at the end of the year. The 60-year-old Ratering was appointed by a statutory committee in February …

Erin Goff, who has spent the past five years as director of community corrections, has been named emergency management coordinator of St. Joseph County. During Tuesday’s county commission meeting, Goff was tapped to succeed TJ Baker, who has returned to work for the sheriff department’s patrol division. Due to Goff’s new job, commissioners Tuesday approved an exception to the county …