News

Tuesday’s first day of classes in St. Joseph County schools brought with it a number of changes and new faces to its nine public school districts. Two new superintendents are in place, as former Constantine High School Principal Christine Barnes stepped in as chief of Colon Community Schools. Meanwhile, former Three Rivers superintendent Roger Rathburn will oversee Mendon Community Schools …

White Pigeon Area Community Foundation, a geographic affiliate of Sturgis Area Community Foundation, recently approved $7,600 in grant awards during its 2015 competitive-grant program. The Adele M. Gray Fund awarded $4,500 to the White Pigeon Caring Families for community and program support. The Fund for White Pigeon also provided grant support to White Pigeon Caring Families with a $1,000 grant. …

  A gray sky and light rain didn’t stop thousands of people from a Labor Day tradition Monday, the five-mile walk across the Mackinac Bridge led by Gov. Rick Snyder. And the weather also didn’t stop dozens more from taking a plunge in the Straits of Mackinac below the bridge as swimmers in wet suits and caps completed an inaugural …

The top lawyer for the Michigan House recommended Tuesday that one state lawmaker be expelled and another censured for misconduct stemming from an attempt to hide their extramarital affair. Brock Swartzle, general counsel for the Republican-led chamber and chief of staff to the speaker, said GOP Rep. Todd Courser of Lapeer should be kicked out in part because he has …

An Illinois man suffered a head injury after he fell from a moving golf cart over the weekend. Cass County Sheriff Joe Underwood said deputies were called at 11 p.m. Sunday to Storey Road in Penn Township, where 20-year-old Christian Moller of Arlington Heights was injured after falling from the back of a golf cart that had made a left-hand …

With today the opening of the 2015-16 academic year for Michigan’s public schools, State Rep. Aaron Miller is encouraging parents to discuss bus-safety with their children and urging drivers to be aware of school-bus laws. Miller said parents should include a discussion about bus safety as part of the back-to-school routine with their children. Also, parents whose children walk to …

A motorcycle was reported stolen last week from a residence in Fabius Township. St. Joseph County Sheriff’s deputies said the lime green 2008 Kawasaki KLX 450 was taken from the 15000 block of Null Road in the early morning hours of Sept. 2. In addition, several vehicles were entered and items stolen. Investigators said residents are encouraged to lock their …

Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County is seeking candidates to be Habitat partner families. Habitat plans to have three homes available for occupancy by families by June 2016 – one each in Sturgis, White Pigeon and Three Rivers. Chris Amones, a Habitat board member and chairperson of the Family Selection/ Partnering Committee said in partnership with a working family, Habitat …

The Michigan Department of Transportation has announced that starting Tuesday, it will be repaving more than four miles of state routes in three locations within St. Joseph County. MDOT’s Nick Schirripa said the work will take place on US-12 from Wallowa Road to Klinger Lake Road in White Pigeon Township; M-60 from the east village limits of Mendon to M-66 …

Three Rivers Health has announced its affiliation with the St. John Providence Health System, Borgess Medical Center and St. Mary’s of Michigan Telemedicine network. The affiliation means patients of Three Rivers Health will have direct access to a telemedicine network of neuroscience specialists by calling one phone number any time day or night. Staff at Three Rivers Health will then be …