News

The St. Joseph County Solid Waste Committee wishes to advise residents that the annual spring collection of household hazardous waste, electronics, paper, latex and paint takes place in three weeks. Committee officials said they like to give a few weeks’ advance notice so people with items to drop off can begin the process. A few notes about the April 22 …

The Mackinac Bridge’s towers are getting a new paint job in the coming years. The Mackinac Bridge Authority says starting April 6 contractors will begin a nearly two-year project to remove the original lead-based paint from the north tower and repaint it. The new zinc-based paint will be the same color and is expected to last at least 35 years. …

Nearly two dozen workers at Kellogg Co.’s Battle Creek headquarters have been hospitalized as a precaution following a suspected Freon leak. About 200 people were evacuated about 10:45 a.m. Wednesday from the building and 23 were taken to area hospitals for evaluation. Fire officials say the leak originated from a pipe near a copier room on the fifth floor of …

The St. Joseph County Conservation District is hosting a three-hour, bug-collection opportunity at 10 a.m. Saturday at nine separate locations in three different rivers. Conservation District executive director Carolyn Grace said volunteers are needed to collect the aquatic inhabitants as a means of gauging the health of the Portage, Prairie and Rocky rivers. Grace and a team of volunteers – …

State Rep. Aaron Miller on Tuesday voted to increase the state’s allocation for each individual student by $100 as part of a $14.3 billion education budget. Miller, who said Michigan’s future is based on its students and classrooms, is a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on School Aid. Miller said his endorsement will hopefully lead to kids being proficient …

A Park Township man whose expertise centers on bees is offering a one-day beekeeping course this coming weekend. Bee School will be led 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday by Jonathan Showalter, owner of Beeline Apiaries & Woodenware. The business is located at the one-time bowling alley at the northwest corner of M-60 and Parkville Road in Park Township. A …

Two people received certificates of recognition Saturday from the St. Joseph County Sheriff ’s Department. Wayne Schwartz of Centreville and Jonathan Anzaldua of Bronson each received an award for their action July 20. Deputies took a report late that evening about a missing 61-year-old man with Alzheimer’s who had been last seen that morning at a home where he staying …

A Cass County teen was injured in a single-vehicle accident after she reportedly fell asleep at the wheel in Porter Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly after 3 a.m. Sunday to M-40, near Shavehead Lake Road in response to a vehicle that had struck a tree. Deputies said 18-year-old Birdie Murphy, of Union, was traveling south on …

Nearly two dozen community leaders from St. Joseph County took part last week in the 15th annual “March for Meals Community Champions Week.” The five-day campaign concluded Friday. This national promotion is an annual event led by Meals on Wheels America designed to generate public awareness about senior hunger and isolation. More than 400 seniors in St Joseph County are …

The St. Joseph County Conservation District is seeking sponsors and participants for its annual golf outing fundraiser. The scramble will take place with a shotgun start at 9:30 a.m. May 6 at Sauganash Golf Club in Three Rivers. Event organizers said proceeds will go to support the various causes backed by the Centreville-based agency. Those include programs such as salmon …