Recent Posts

Golf outing will support Community Action

Here’s a reminder that Community Action welcomes participants and sponsors at its inaugural “Whack for Warm” golf outing. All proceeds will go directly to Community Action’s Emergency Assistance programs that assists income-eligible households in St. Joseph, Calhoun, Barry, Branch and Kalamazoo counties with heating costs and/or critical housing needs. Agency officials said they are looking for local businesses in St. Joseph …

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Missing woman in St. Joseph County

The St Joseph County Sheriff’s Office reports that on Monday, May 29th, 2023, deputies were dispatched to a report of a missing 73-year-old woman. Marilee Furlong left her daughter’s residence on Flatbush Road in the Three Rivers area, at approximately 9:00 a.m. Marilee was last seen wearing red long-sleeve pajamas, but she could have also changed into a red/pink plaid …

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Plea agreement in strangulation death

St. Joseph County Prosecutor David Marvin said a plea agreement and sentence have been worked out regarding the suspect allegedly involved in the October 2021 death of a Colon woman. Michael Lafler, age 37, of Colon, will be sentenced in June to a maximum of 15 years in the strangulation death of 33-year-old Chelsea Wallen. Marvin said he and defense …

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Woman arrested on drug charges

A Mendon woman faces drug-related charges following a traffic stop last week in Sturgis Township. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman said deputies stopped a vehicle shortly after 10 a.m. Thursday on South Centerville Road, near Fawn River Road. Deputies were suspicious of the driver and requested the services of the Sturgis Police K-9 unit. With the assistance of the K-9 unit, deputies …

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Sturgis High School – Big wins in state competition

Sturgis High School’s manufacturing class brought home eight first-place finishes during a recent state competition. The latest Michigan Industrial Technology Education Society, in fact, saw the Sturgis team bring home more award-winners than any other participating school. Led by instructor Jeff Wanamaker, the class bested Sturgis’ six state champions it claimed in 2019. The goal of the MITES competition is …

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Out and About – Week of May 29th

This week we celebrate Memorial Day. It’s more a day of remembrance than a day of celebration. On this day we remember those members of our Armed Forces who have passed, whether in an armed conflict or in peacetime. Memorial Day is also recognized as the first day of summer, even though summer doesn’t actually begin until next month. Beginning …

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Centreville – Discussion continues regarding ballfield complex

Plans to name a ballfield complex in honor of a noteworthy graduate were put on hold Monday by the Centreville Public Schools Board of Education. Class of 1995 member Matt Thornton went on to enjoy a 13-year Major League Baseball career as a pitcher with six different MLB teams. While Thornton, a former MLB All-Star, may have seemed a logical …

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Improvements continue at county’s newest park

Further improvements at the county’s newest park top the list of work planned this summer by the St. Joseph County Parks and Recreation Department. Director Jaymes MacDonald said a considerable amount of time has been spent at Kettles Park over the past six months, with efforts centering on improving its trail network. Acquired in 2021 through state grants and a …

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A new dairy-processing facility in Constantine

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation delivered some good news for the village of Constantine Tuesday. They announced that Michigan Strategic Fund approved a new dairy-processing facility that will reduce the carbon footprint of dairy byproduct and bring new jobs and infrastructure to the community. A total capital investment of $41.1 million is expected. MMPA and Dairy …

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Awards announced at the Sheriff’s Department

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department on Tuesday announced recipients of two high-profile awards. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman said Mark Mellinger was named Uniformed Services Deputy of the Year for 2022. Meanwhile, Gabriel Keely received Corrections Deputy of the Year for 2022. Bingaman said the county is a safer place because of Mellinger, while Keely is an employee who goes above …

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