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Michigan Department of Transportation officials announced one lane of northbound U.S. 131 in Schoolcraft is now open to traffic. Agency officials said the step was taken this week and marks the beginning of the end of the $51 million investment. Originally slated to be completed by the end of November, the second year of the two-year project is on track …

Christina Yunker will get a two-month tryout as a member of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. The unexpected, early membership to the seven-member board is the result of commissioner Dennis Allen announcing his resignation effective Oct. 31. News of Allen’s decision to not complete his two-year term – which expires Dec. 31 – was shared during Tuesday’s special …

Two items of significant value were stolen from a residence last week in Lockport Township. Michigan State Police troopers responded Thursday to a location in the 17000 block of South River Road in response to an incident of theft that occurred earlier in the day. Stolen items were a Bad Boy brand, zero-turn lawn mower, and a Whirlpool double-door stainless …

St. Joseph County in 2023 experienced its fewest deaths since 2019. The 508 deaths recorded last year were the lowest since 507 registered in 2019, according to Patrick Hansma, from Western Michigan University’s School of Medicine. Hansma presented the medical examiner’s 2023 report to the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners last week. For the sake of comparison, there were …

A years-long journey for Vicksburg officials was celebrated Monday, when a dedication and ceremonial ribbon cutting acknowledged the village’s new municipal building. The 25-minute program featured a number of dignitaries who commended village officials for using cash on hand to cover the $2.7 million it took to construct the 7,800-square-foot building. Village Manager Jim Mallery called the event “a historical …

A Constantine Township resident was seriously injured after being struck by a car last week on Constantine Road, north of Featherstone Road. St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded around 10:30 p.m. Thursday to the location of the incident. Investigators said the victim was speaking to a motorist inside a car facing northbound in the southbound lane of Constantine Road. …

More than 200 bales of straw were destroyed in a fire last week in Nottawa Township. Centreville Fire Department officials said the agency received an alarm around 7 p.m. Thursday regarding the blaze alongside Schweitzer Road. The owner of the straw told authorities there were approximately 220 bales. Fire officials said nearly 200,000 gallons of water were necessary to extinguish …

The city of Three Rivers, in consultation with the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency, has lifted the no-contact health advisory for the St. Joseph River. The advisory had been in effect for an area from the Broadway Street bridge to the South Constantine Street bridge. Municipal officials said residents can again use the St. Joseph River for recreational activities. Three …

Three Rivers begins its fall leaf pickup today. Final collection dates by district are: Dec. 9, Third District; Dec. 11, Fourth District; Dec. 13, Second District; and Dec. 16, First District. City officials said leaves should be in the street and not in the yard. Brush, sod, bricks, rocks, trash or other materials should not be included. Municipal officials said …

A wanted felon was arrested last week by Sturgis Department of Public Safety. City officials said they had been attempting to locate the suspect and on Oct. 11, officers noticed activity at the suspect’s residence. After a period of surveillance, officers observed the suspect get into the passenger seat of a vehicle leaving the residence. Officers conducted a traffic stop …