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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 …

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 …

Two people have been charged following their arraignment last week. Colon resident Nathaniel Parsons, 43, and 44-year-old Jaclyn Gsell, of Mendon, were arrested, arraigned and released on bond Friday following the execution of a search warrant at 730 East State St. in Colon. According to Michigan State Police Detective Sgt. Matt Berry, troopers, the MSP Emergency Support Team and members …

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer called for increased investments in education through initiatives such as free community college for all high school graduates and free preschool for 4-year-olds in a State of the State speech Wednesday night focused on cutting costs for residents. The second-term Democratic governor’s speech preceded a legislative session that may require lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to …

A Sturgis woman was charged with larceny and larceny of livestock after she allegedly stole a horse and buggy over the weekend in Sturgis. Sturgis police responded at 5:30 p.m. Saturday to Walmart on South Centerville Road in response to a report of the theft. Authorities said a truck driver in the Walmart parking lot observed the 31-year-old suspect enter …