News

Two local high schools extend football playoff run

Both local high school football teams won over the weekend, extending their run in the Michigan High School Athletic Association playoffs. White Pigeon captured a Division 8 district crown Friday after defeating Saugatuck, 30-0. The Chiefs are now 11-0 and will play at Ottawa Lake Whiteford High School later in the week. Meanwhile, in Division 6 action Saturday, Constantine held …

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Man sentenced in connection with his parents deaths

A western Michigan man was sentenced to decades in prison after pleading no contest in the 2021 slayings of his parents, whose bodies were found buried at a state game area. A Kalamazoo County judge on Wednesday sentenced Nicholas Johnson to spend between 29 and 69 years in prison. The Portage man must serve a minimum of 29 years before he’s eligible …

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Judging results for White Pigeon library chili contest

A White Pigeon man took top honors in both judging categories at Thursday’s “Chili Out at Your Library” event at White Pigeon Township Library. The inaugural event, a fundraiser to help the library raise funds for a bookmobile, drew 11 participants and more than 80 people sampling the offerings. Library director Perri Saunders said Charles Worley’s “Boilermaker Tailgate Chili” won …

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Donations for homeless awareness month

November is homeless awareness month and a local entity is staging a collection of personal-hygiene products to benefit St. Joseph County’s own. The drive – which concludes Nov. 30 – is being overseen by the St. Joseph County Housing Task Force to help stock hygiene closets at UCAP in Three Rivers, Building Hope Free Store in Centreville and Friday Friendship …

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Fresh Food distribution schedule

Here’s a look at November’s Fresh Food Distribution in St. Joseph County. First Presbyterian Church on Lakeview Avenue in Sturgis will kick off the first of November’s six local distributions. It is scheduled for 4 p.m. Nov. 9. Seventh-Day Adventist Church, east of Centreville on M-86 hosts, the next distribution. It will take place at 4 p.m. Nov. 14. Two …

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Woman injured in Cass County crash

A Cassopolis woman was injured in a single-vehicle crash earlier this week in Cass County’s Newberg Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 11:25 p.m. Tuesday to an area on M-60 near Wood Lake Road in response to a crash with injuries. Deputies said Cassidy Riedel, 25, was traveling east on M-60 when she lost control of her …

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Driver killed in crash following police pursuit

A police pursuit that made its way briefly into St. Joseph County last week concluded when the driver was killed after his vehicle was struck by a semi-tractor trailer. The pursuit started shortly before 4:30 p.m. Friday in Branch County’s Sherwood Township, where authorities attempted to stop a speeding vehicle. The pursuit went into Matteson Township then west into St. …

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Community forum explains potential bond renewal request

A community forum hosted last week by Mendon Community Schools helped clarify details of a potential bond renewal request possibly coming up in the spring. Superintendent Leasa Griffith-Mathews said the focus will center on improvements to buildings and grounds at the two-school district, as well as its bus garage and athletic facilities. Griffith-Mathews said about $20 million worth of work …

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Vicksburg hears information proposed Biggby

A nationally recognized coffee chain hoping to break into the Vicksburg market will have a fair amount of information to present when its plan goes before municipal officials. During the Vicksburg Planning Commission’s October meeting, discussion centered on Biggby’s proposed location at the northwest corner of East Prairie and North Richardson streets. Village Council members in September expressed concerns about …

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Constantine to receive state funds for road improvements

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has announced funding being made available to 47 communities, including Constantine, for road improvements. The Community Service Infrastructure Fund will provide $250,000 to the village. It is targeting the funds for Florence Road, between White Pigeon Road and Cemetery Street; Industrial Drive; and Meyers Street. Repaving will take place by next summer.

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