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St. Joseph County Animal Control was the benefactor of a significant gift left in the will of a Colon couple. St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department Capt. TJ Baker said $10,000 was bequeathed to the Centreville-based agency by Karla Wilson and her husband, Robert “Pat” Wilson. Karla, a Colon High School alumna, passed away at age 67 in November 2022, while …

A few rules to remember, when out riding bicycles: Bikes are not permitted on the sidewalk in the downtown business district. If you must use the sidewalk, walk your bicycle. Bicyclists are bound by the same rules as motor vehicles. This means that you must stop at all intersections where stop signs are installed. The same goes for traffic lights. …

Branch County Prosecutor’s Office has cleared officers involved in the shooting of a Sturgis man last summer. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman said a review of the case, which also involved input from Michigan State Police, concluded that the shooting death of 30-year-old David Algarin Jr. was justified. Investigators said Algarin led law-enforcement officials on a pursuit Aug. 6 that concluded in …

The National Weather Service has now surveyed the damage and confirms an EF2 tornado touched down in St. Joseph County on Tuesday. The survey team says the tornado touched down one mile south of Centreville at 5:41pm, and then tracked northeast, passed north of Colon, then crossed into Branch County. The tornado finally weakened and lifted three miles southwest of …

Great Start Collaborative and several other area agencies are asking for assistance with its monthly diaper distribution. Great Start family liaison Amanda Johnson said the diaper drive has increased its outreach, and doubled the number of families and children since February. Sixty families and 99 children were served at its April distribution. The flip side to that, Johnson said, is the …

A Vicksburg High School creative-writing teacher has been honored as an “Excellence in Education” award winner. The weekly acknowledgment is presented by Michigan State Lottery. For his recognition, David Smith received $2,000. He now becomes eligible for a $10,000 cash prize as the potential Educator of the Year recipient, an honor bestowed at the end of the academic year. Lottery …

I tried to help the staff here by licking peanut butter off the plate, but the picture just didn’t work out – – so I just posed handsomely.  My name is “Sonic.” I am a male, about a year and a half old.  I am house trained and I get along with kids and some dogs.  I know “sit” and …

County and local officials Wednesday morning canvassed St. Joseph County’s hardest-hit areas – Mendon, Nottawa, Colon and Leonidas townships – to gauge the degree of damage caused by what has now been confirmed as two tornadoes that touched down late Tuesday afternoon in the northeast quadrant of the county. St. Joseph County Emergency Management Director Erin Goff said in her …

Areas of St. Joseph and Branch counties, and elsewhere in Southwest Michigan, are recovering from damage caused by a fierce storm that tore through the area late Tuesday afternoon. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman reported power outages and widespread damage, including exceptionally heavy destruction in and around portions of Nottawa, Colon, and Leonidas townships in St. Joseph County. A pole barn adjacent …

Mendon Community Schools Board of Education can start its three-phase construction planning, as district voters Tuesday approved a millage-renewal request. Superintendent Leasa Griffith-Matthews said the district was seeking renewal of 8 mills over a six-year period. The $20 million proposal passed, 298 in favor to 182 opposed. Griffith-Matthews said several improvements on tap will include an addition at the middle/high …