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State-issued grants that help cover expenses related to various court programs were approved last week by St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. Community Corrections Director Melissa Bliss said the grants are: $130,000 to Circuit Court for the Michigan Drug Court program; $160,000 to Circuit Court for the Swift and Sure Sanctions Probation program; $16,000 to District Court for its Drug …

We have a lot of construction going on in our neighborhood. A new house, several doors down, is almost completed. Our next door neighbors will soon be having their house improved with a lot of remodeling. It’s fascinating to watch construction, especially knowing that we’re not paying for it. A bonus for us is that our property value will probably …

Emergency crews remain on the site of a broken petroleum line in Branch County’s Girard Township. The incident occurred Tuesday in an area on Bell Road. It involves a 10-inch BP petroleum line. Company officials said the road will be closed at least until Oct. 27. Crews are continuing to remove contamination from the 8,400 gallons of gasoline that leaked …

A Coldwater woman is $150,000 richer after cashing in a lucky lottery ticket earlier this week. Brandy Bowditch, 39, matched four white balls and the Powerball in the Oct. 7 drawing to win $150,000. Bowditch opted for the PowerPlay option, which tripled her winnings. Bowditch purchased the ticket at PS Food Mart on West Chicago Road in Coldwater. She said …

Kellogg Community Credit Union of Three Rivers made a significant donation Wednesday to St. Joseph County Animal Control. Pam Overweg, branch manager, said the branch during September collected food and other needs for dogs at the Centreville-based shelter. Employees and the community joined to donate 86 items, she said. In addition, the Three Rivers branch added a $500 financial donation …

Drug store chain Rite-Aid announced this week it is filing for bankruptcy, prompting the closure of 154 stores nationwide, including one in St. Joseph County. In all, 17 stores in Michigan are set to close. The decision will impact the location in Sturgis, at the northwest corner of North Centreville Road and West Chicago Road. The next-closest Michigan location to …

Thirteen St. Joseph County employees were recognized Tuesday by the county’s board of commissioners. During their annual acknowledgment ceremony, commissioners saluted employees from eight different departments. The recipients were: Tab Wedge, district court administrator, 35 years; Kitty Buchner, jail administrator, 30 years, and 25-year employees Sherry Swartz, veterans advisor and Dena Clark, chief deputy clerk. All others were for 10 …

Three appointments were made Tuesday by St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. Luke Lori was named to the Community Corrections Advisory Board. Meanwhile, Randy Chupp and Rick Anderson were named to the St. Joseph County Board of Canvassers.

St. Joseph County United Way recently conducted its 12th annual Mega Raffle fundraiser. Agency director Kelly Hostetler said 330 tickets were sold for $100 each. She said 14 of 19 lucky ticket owners received their money back. The draw-down style saw the fifth ticket remaining belonged to Hailey Carter, who won $1,000. The fourth remaining ticket was worth a $2,000 …

Colon Board of Education members were criticized Monday for relieving Paige Smolarz as the school’s varsity track coach. During their monthly board meeting, the board listened to a dozen speakers during Citizen Comments. More than half expressed their disappointment in the decision, which was relayed to Smolarz over the weekend. Smolarz, who has been affiliated with the district for 33 …