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St. Joseph County Commissioner Jared Hoffmaster has been chosen to serve as chairman of the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency Board. Hoffmaster, a Fabius Township resident and former Three Rivers City Commission member, was named chairman during last week’s organizational meeting. He had previously served as the board’s vice-chair. Hoffmaster took over the gavel from Brent Leininger of Hillsdale County. …

As of this writing, we are experiencing sloppy roads and temperatures in the thirties. Looking out at the lake we can see one lone fisherman. We check on him every few minutes to make sure he hasn’t fallen through a crack in the ice. I’m not a fisherman, and if I was I wouldn’t be out on the ice today. …

At her annual State of the State address Wednesday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced her plan for universal free pre-K and community college, a move hailed by Michigan Education Association President Chandra Madafferi as a game changer for Michigan. Madafferi said Whitmer is the most pro-public-education governor in Michigan’s history. The Oakland County teacher said the governor’s plan to provide every …

A Constantine restaurant owner’s idea to give back around the holidays has grown into a movement involving many people weeks later. WOOD-TV recently featured Katrina Carpenter, owner of Piper’s Grinders Galore. Carpenter said a so-called “no-judgment” meal ticket board was added to the Constantine eatery back in November. The meal ticket board features receipts of meals paid for by customers. …

Van Buren/Cass District Health Department is recommending vaccination against influenza and COVID-19, as the agency is dealing with a surge in cases. With the simultaneous threat of these respiratory illnesses, vaccination is a critical tool to protect public health and prevent overwhelming the healthcare system, department officials said. In recent weeks, Van Buren and Cass County have experienced a notable …

Sturgis Bancorp has announced that Eric Eishen is retiring after 45 years of service. The announcement of Eishen’s retirement marks the completion of a planned succession process that began in July 2022, when Eishen turned over day-to-day operations of the community bank to Jason Hyska as chief executive officer and Matt Scheske as president and chief operating officer. Eishen, who …

A 350-pound black bear that perched for hours in a tree, causing a Mother’s Day spectacle last spring in northern Michigan, was killed by a hunter, authorities said. “It makes me sad, because I was just envisioning it living peacefully in the forest somewhere, thriving as a bear does,” said Ashlea Walter, who was among dozens of people who watched in May …

When is it going to warm up.  All of us here can only stand to be out 5 minutes or so.  Please come adopt me.  I am “ACE”, a black and white lab/mix, male, about 10 months old.  I am housetrained, I get along with other dogs and kids.  Being a puppy I still need some training.  I love to …

A Lockport Township man who braved freezing waters to help a 22-month-old boy from a partially submerged car last week in the Portage River was commended Tuesday by the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman, Capt. T.J. Baker and Deputy Nathan Hewitt recognized Paul Leverance for his quick and heroic action Jan. 18 at the South Fisher Lake …

Constantine Village Manager Mark Honeysett said a boil-water advisory for a portion of the municipality has been lifted. Honeysett said three different samples were collected between Monday and Tuesday. After the samples were analyzed and returned negative for contamination, it was determined the boil-water advisory was no longer necessary. The advisory was issued following a water-main break that occurred late …