Recent Posts

Constantine school district voters defeat millage proposal

Constantine school officials will have to put together a financial plan to replace roofs at the district’s high school and its middle school, as a ballot request was turned down by district voters Tuesday. Superintendent Joe Holloway said voter approval would have allowed the district to refinance bonds issued in the early 2000s. The result would have yielded $3.9 million …

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Road millage approved in Newberg Township

A 2-year millage proposal was approved by Cass County’s Newberg Township voters for repair and construction of roads. It is estimated that $97,000 will be generated during the first year. Yes votes totaled 78, while there were 65 no votes.

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Big jackpot winner in Colon

An unprecedented jackpot was awarded last weekend by the Colon American Legion. With the license for its Queen of Hearts raffle expiring Sunday, the Legion had to draw a winner Saturday night for the jackpot that was in excess of $200,000. Melvin Sours, whose community of residence is not clear, was the winner. After his name was drawn from thousands …

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National Day of Prayer observance in Centreville

An hour-long event recognizing National Day of Prayer will take place this week in St. Joseph County. The local National Day of Prayer, spearheaded by Barb Kwiatkowski, will be observed starting at noon Thursday at the St. Joseph County Courthouse gazebo, at the northeast quadrant of the courthouse property. Kwiatkowski said seven different representatives will speak, directing prayers toward different …

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South Carolina man arrested in Three Rivers woman’s 1988 killing

A South Carolina man has been charged in a Three Rivers woman’s 1988 slaying after investigators used forensic genetic genealogy to narrow the pool of suspects to a single family, authorities said Monday. Robert Odell Waters, age 53, was arrested Sunday afternoon in Beaufort, South Carolina, where he lives, in the killing of Cathy Sue Swartz, St. Joseph County Prosecuting …

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Michigan expands absentee voting for military members

Overseas voters and military members from Michigan will have more time to cast their absentee ballots in future elections under legislation signed Monday by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. All absentee ballots were previously required to be received at local clerk’s offices by 8 p.m. on Election Day. While military and overseas voters will have to postmark their ballots on or before …

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County unemployment down

March’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County decreased by three-tenths of a percent from February. Figures from the monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget show St. Joseph County’s unemployment rate fell from 5.1 percent in February to 4.8 percent in March. St. Joseph County’s March 2022 unemployment rate was 3.8 percent. In addition, Cass …

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Sturgis Hospital stops inpatient services

Sturgis Hospital is taking the next step to converting to a rural emergency hospital model. Jeremy Gump, hospital board president, told the Sturgis City Commission last week that as of 7 a.m. today, the hospital will cease admitting inpatients. The announcement was made to hospital employees April 25, Gump said. Emergency services and lab services will continue, Gump said. In …

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Chainsaws stolen in Branch County

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident that occurred within the past week in Branch County’s Coldwater Township. Investigators were called to the 600 block of Marshall Road, where the victim stated a blue, 14-inch Cobalt chainsaw, and a red, 14-inch Craftsman chainsaw were stolen from a barn. The incident occurred between April 23 and April 27.

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Lyme disease cases reported by health department

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has received reports of cases of Lyme Disease within its three-county jurisdiction. Health officer Rebecca Burns said the arrival of spring and warmer temperatures experienced in March and early April tend to cause ticks to become more active. Ticks will remain active until fall or when temperatures are consistently below 40 degrees. A bite …

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